Breast screening

The NHS breast screening programme offers a type of breast scan called a mammogram every three years to all women in the UK aged between 50 and 70. Women over the age of 70 are welcome to request their own scan.

The purpose of screening is to try and detect breast cancer at a very early stage and reduce the number of women who die from the disease.

If you are eligible you will receive your first invite to attend screening at some point between your 50th and 53rd birthday.

There are around 80 breast screening units across the UK, each screening a defined section of the population. Most women in west London are screened by the West of London Breast Screening Service.

An informed choice
It is your choice whether or not to take part in the breast screening programme, and we want you to make an informed choice. Please read the following information carefully.

Benefits of breast screening
Breast screening saves lives. Out of every 500 women screened, one life will be saved. The NHS breast screening programme is now saving 1,400 lives every year in England alone.

Breast screening can identify cancer at an early stage, when there is a good chance of a recovery. When found early, a cancer is usually small and can often be treated by just removing the tumour (a lumpectomy) without removing the entire breast (a mastectomy).

Things to consider
A mammogram involves carefully compressing the breast between two special X-ray plates, and this can sometimes be uncomfortable. Some women may find the procedure painful, but the pain usually only lasts for a short time.

Any X-rays you have, including mammograms, will expose you to a small amount of radiation. Mammograms only require a very low dose of X-rays, and any risk is greatly outweighed by the benefits of early breast cancer detection.

Breast screening cannot prevent cancer. It only helps to find a cancer that is already there.

Breast screening may miss a small number of cancers.

Some women are called back for a further assessment and many of these women will not have cancer. This may cause unnecessary anxiety.

History of the NHS breast screening programme
The NHS breast screening programme was set up in 1988 and was the first of its kind in the world. It achieved national coverage by the mid-1990s. The programme has screened more than 19 million women since it started and has detected almost 120,000 cases of breast cancer.

Further information
You can find more information in our frequently asked questions, our publications section, or on the main NHS breast screening programme website.