Breast screening

Published by Bupa’s Health Information Team, October 2011.

This factsheet is for women who would like information about breast screening.

Breast screening uses a type of breast X-ray called mammography to check for changes that have occurred in a woman’s breasts when she has not experienced any breast symptoms.

About breast screening

The NHS runs a breast screening programme in the UK. The NHS breast screening programme in England aims to screen women aged 50 and over for breast cancer every three years. The programme started to phase in an extension to include women aged 47 to 73 in 2010, which is due to be completed in 2016.

Breast screening uses mammography to detect small changes in the breast that may be a sign of cancer before you’re able to notice them.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK. It affects one in eight women at some time in their life. Eight out of 10 women who develop breast cancer are over 50.

How does the breast screening programme work?

Breast screening is carried out at a special breast screening unit, which may be at a hospital, clinic or in a mobile unit.

You will need to be registered with a GP to receive an invitation to screening. You should receive an invitation before you turn 53 (or before you turn 50 after the extension is complete). If you're 53 or over and haven’t received an invitation, contact your GP for advice.

You may not be invited for breast screening when you’re over 70 (or over 73 after the extension). You can still attend breast screening once every three years, but you will need to arrange this yourself through your GP or local breast screening unit. Mammography is also available at independent facilities.

Deciding on breast screening

It’s your choice whether or not to have breast screening. To make an informed decision, it’s important that you’re aware of the benefits and risks of mammography.

Benefits

Most cancers that are picked up during screening mammography are at an early stage. Early detection of breast cancer makes treatment easier, so you have a better chance of making a full recovery.

Risks

It’s important to remember that although mammography is the best way of detecting early breast cancer, it isn’t a perfect test. Sometimes signs of breast cancer can be missed, despite the test being done correctly.

Sometimes, screening can show possible signs of breast cancer when in fact there isn’t a problem. In this case, the screening mammogram is said to have a false positive result. Most false positive results are caused by a build-up of calcium in the milk ducts of your breasts (known as microcalcification). This is common in women over 50.

If there are any abnormal signs on your mammogram, you will be asked to attend a breast assessment clinic for further tests. Around five in 100 women in the UK are called back for further tests after having breast screening. If you’re called back, try not to worry. Only around 12 to 13 in 100 of those who are called back are found to have breast cancer.

There is a small chance that you could be wrongly diagnosed with breast cancer or treated for breast cancer that would never have caused you any problems. If this happens, you may have unnecessary cancer treatment.

Mammography exposes you to a small amount of radiation. However, this is around the same as the radiation you’re exposed to naturally from the environment over a few months to a year and is considered to be relatively safe.

If you’re pregnant, or think you might be, let your radiographer know. The radiation from the X-ray may affect your unborn baby. An ultrasound scan may be used instead. If a mammography is done, you will be given a lead apron to wear. This will cover your lower abdomen (tummy) and protect your unborn baby from any radiation.

Preparing for your mammography

Don't use any spray-on deodorant or talcum powder on the day of your mammography, as this could affect the mammogram.

If you're pregnant, or think you might be, you must let the staff know. The radiation from the scan may affect your unborn baby. The staff will decide whether or not it's safe for you to have a mammography. If they decide to go ahead, you will be given a lead apron to wear. This will cover your lower abdomen (tummy) and protect your unborn baby from any radiation.

You must also let the staff know if you have breast implants. If you have implants, the procedure may need to be adapted slightly so that as much of your breast tissue as possible is shown on the mammogram.

About the procedure

You will be guided through the procedure by a radiographer (a health professional trained to perform imaging procedures).

Mammograms are taken using an X-ray machine called a mammography unit.

You will need to undress to your waist. You will be asked to place your breasts on a flat plate on the mammography unit, one at a time. There will be another flat plate above your breast. The plate above your breast will move down and your breast will be pressed in between the two plates while the mammograms are taken.

                                                              Mammogram

Your breasts need to be compressed to keep them still, and so that a clear image can be taken using the lowest possible level of radiation. You may find the compression uncomfortable or a bit painful, but it will only last for a few minutes.

Two mammograms will be taken of each breast, one from above and one from the side. You will be asked to stay still while each mammogram is taken. Once all four have been taken, you will be able to get dressed and go.

The radiographer will be behind a screen while your mammograms are taken. He or she will be able to see and hear you at all times, so you can let him or her know if there are any problems.

The whole procedure should take around half an hour.

How a mammogram is carried out

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Getting your results

You will usually get the results of your mammography around one to two weeks afterwards, but it can sometimes take longer.

If there are any signs of an abnormality on your mammogram, you will be asked to attend a breast assessment clinic for further tests. Around one in 20 women in the UK are called back for further tests after they have had a screening mammography. If you're called back, try not to worry. Only around one in eight of those who are called back after screening are found to have breast cancer.

Breast awareness

Even if you’re having regular breast screening, it’s important to be breast aware so that you notice any changes in your breasts. If you notice any breast changes or symptoms, contact your GP, even if a recent mammogram didn’t show any changes in your breasts.

For answers to frequently asked questions on this topic, see Common questions.

For sources and links to further information, see Resources.