• What is breast cancer?
  • Being breast aware
  • Diagnosis & treatment
  • Breast cancer: the facts
  • Risk factors
  • Breast cancer screening

Breast screening

Breast screening is a method of detecting breast cancer at a very early stage when it will be most responsive to treatment. These small changes in the breast may be too small to be felt either by the woman or by her doctor. A mammogram, which is a special x-ray that uses very low doses of radiation, is used to visualise the internal structures of the breast.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) was set up in 1988; it provides free breast screening every three years for all women in the UK aged between 50 and 70. Once women reach the upper age limit for routine invitations for breast screening, they can still attend but need to make their own appointment.

Breast screening for women under 50
Women under 50 are not invited for routine breast screening. The average age for the menopause is 50. Mammograms are not as effective at detecting any changes in pre-menopausal women because their breast tissue is denser. Age is also the most significant risk factor and the incidence of breast cancer is lower in younger women. However, new trials are currently underway to explore mammogram screening for women aged between 40 and 50 years.

To find out where your local breast-screening unit is you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. In Scotland, call the NHS Health Helpline on 0845 4 242 424 or make enquiries through your GP practice. More information on the breast screening programme