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Breast Screening It’s what my mum does.
If you have a relative or friend aged 50-70, you can help them find out more about attending their free NHS breast screening.
How can I help?
Please click on the statement that applies to your relative or friend.
Need some help bringing up the subject? You may find it useful to read our guide to talking to a relative or friend about breast screening.
That is great. Breast screening is an important part of staying healthy as people get older. Make a note of their appointment and help them plan to be there in good time.
If their appointment is at a time or a place that doesn’t suit you can rearrange an appointment.
If your relative or friend would like to know more about what happens at a breast screening and why it is important, click on the relevant links below or scroll further down the page.
Useful links:
Your relative or friend may not receive their appointment as soon as they are 50. They will receive their first appointment by their 53rd birthday.
You can help them contact the screening service on 020 3758 2024 to request an appointment.
If your relative or friend is over 50 years old and it has been more than three years since their last breast screening you should help them call 020 3758 2024 to book an appointment.
If your relative or friend is between the ages of 50 and 70 and they were assigned to be female at birth then they should be sent a letter every three years inviting them for a free NHS breast screening.
If they are 71 years or older they won’t be sent a letter inviting them but they can book an appointment every three years by calling 020 3758 2024.
Whatever the age of your friend or relative, it is important to encourage them to check their breasts regularly. For excellent advice on how they should check their breasts, they can visit the CoppaFeel website.
If they have concerns about changes to their breasts, they should speak with their GP as soon as possible. Please don’t wait for an appointment with the screening service.
Useful links:
If your relative or friend received a letter inviting them to an NHS breast screening appointment and they missed their appointment you can help them either book online or call 020 3758 2024 to book a new appointment.
Useful links:
It is normal to have questions about breast screening. You can help them get answers to the most common questions and read other local women’s stories below.
If they have concerns about changes to their breasts, they should speak with their GP as soon as possible. Please don’t wait for an appointment with the screening service.
Useful links:
Breast Screening It's what Esther does.
Over 50? Take control of your health by attending your free NHS breast screening every 3 years.
Useful information about breast screening
Click on a question or statement below to find out more about NHS breast screening and help your friend or relative get peace of mind ahead of their appointment.
What happens at the appointment?
An x-ray scan of your breast is done in the screening appointment to look for any lumps or abnormalities. This is known as a mammogram. You will receive the results by post.
Watch this short video or read this step-by-step guide which explains everything you need to know:
What if I have a disability?
If you have a disability please contact the NHS breast screening service on 020 3758 2024 to talk about your appointment.
They will discuss your needs and whether any adjustments are needed (for example allocating more time for the appointment, or moving it to an alternative local screening unit with better access).
How will I fit it in?
It is important that you treat your health as a priority. The service offer weekend and evening appointments. If you give them a call on 020 3758 2024 they will help you find a convenient time and place for your appointment.
The NHS breast screening service offer early morning/weekend appointments if getting time off work is difficult. There may also be an alternative location that is closer to work and easier for you.
If you have been sent a letter with an appointment you can change it online. If you can’t see a time or location that is convenient for you give them a call on 020 3758 2024.
Who is NHS breast screening for?
Anyone registered with a GP who is assigned female at birth, will be invited for breast cancer screening every three years between the ages of 50 and 70 as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme.
If you are 71 years or older you won’t be sent a letter inviting you but you can book an appointment every three years by calling 020 3758 2024.
Whatever age you are it is important that you check your breasts regularly. The CoppaFeel website has excellent advice:
If you have concerns about changes to your breasts, please speak with your GP as soon as possible. Please don’t wait for an appointment with the screening service.
Anyone registered with a GP who is assigned female at birth, will be invited for breast cancer screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 70 as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme.
What If I am worried about the appointment?
During your NHS breast screening or mammogram you may experience some discomfort as the breast tissue is compressed to allow for the imaging to take place. This should settle after the mammogram and you can return to your daily routine straight after your appointment.
If you are experiencing pain during your breast screening, you can inform the mammographer who will do their best to minimise any discomfort.
During the NHS breast screening, a female mammographer will be in the room with you, they are used to doing multiple screenings daily and so will do their best to support you.
You will be supported through your NHS breast screening appointment by an all female team.
It is absolutely fine to bring a female friend or relative along to the appointment with you.
Why is NHS breast screening important?
NHS breast screening is especially beneficial for women who do not have any symptoms and are aged 50-70.
The screening detects cancer at an early stage where treatment is most effective, and half of the cancers detected are so small they could not be felt (even by an experienced doctor) examining the breast.
You do not have to have symptoms or worry about breast cancer to benefit from the screening.
The screening program is for all women aged 50-70. You do not need to have symptoms to benefit from the screening and the peace of mind it usually brings.
Around 96% of women who are screened show no sign of cancer which brings reassurance and peace of mind. Around 4% need further tests and 1% will have cancer. Early detection of breast cancer can massively improve your chances of survival.
It is understandable that you don’t want to know if you have cancer, but you are not alone in your fear of cancer and we will support you if you need.
The NHS breast screening is extremely important as it aims to detect cancer at an early stage where treatment is most effective. It allows for less invasive treatment options with less side-effects and long-term health complications.
99% of women who had breast cancer and were diagnosed and treated early survive for more than 5 years, compared to just 27% of women who had a late diagnosis.
At the very early stages of breast cancer, most people do not have any symptoms as the cancer cells have not grown large enough or spread to cause any symptoms, or to be felt when you check your breasts. 50% of breast cancers detected during NHS breast screening are from women who do not have any symptoms or lumps.
The NHS breast screening aims to detect breast cancer at a very early stage where most people do not have symptoms or cancer cells are not large enough yet to be felt during physical examination. Early detection saves lives.
Hereditary breast cancer refers to breast cancer that can run in families which can put you at increased risk, however, only 5-10% of breast cancers are hereditary. With 1 in 7 women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, NHS breast cancer screening is important for all women aged 50 to 70.
Breast Screening It's what friends do.
Friends over 50? Talk to them about Breast Screening. Start the conversation today > share this website:
Breast Screening Stories
Click on a story to find out how breast screening has helped Greenwich women