Mammography

I'm worried that breast screening will hurt because of the size of my breasts...

Don't worry. The mammography practitioners are used to screening women of all sizes and will do their best to minimise any discomfort.

During the mammogram each breast is placed in turn on the X-ray machine and gently but firmly compressed with a clear plate. The compression only lasts a few seconds and doesn't cause any harm. It's needed to keep the breast still and to get the clearest picture with the lowest amount of radiation possible.

Research has shown that for most women it's less painful than having a blood test and compares with having blood pressure measured. For women with very large breasts, additional pictures are sometimes needed to ensure that all the breast tissue is included.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 22 Feb 2018

Articles for mammography

I'm worried that breast screening will hurt because of the size of my breasts...

During the mammogram each breast is placed in turn on the X-ray machine and gently but firmly compressed with a clear plate. The compression only lasts a few seconds and doesn't cause any harm.

Can I walk into the mobile breast screening unit and request a mammogram?

No, the Breast Screening Programme doesn't operate on a walk-in basis. It invites women in the target age group (50 to 70) for routine breast screening every three years.

Can women with a physical disability be screened?

Mammography is a procedure that is technically difficult and that requires a high degree of cooperation between the mammography practitioner and the woman.

I am a carer, looking after someone who lacks the mental capacity...

If you do need to make a decision on someone else's behalf, consider what is involved in the screening process (including any further diagnostic tests that may be needed if the person receives an abnormal screening result). You may find it helpful to speak to their GP to discuss.

I'm in the process of changing from a man to a woman. I'm over 50. Am I entitled to breast screening?

Individuals who are undergoing male to female gender reassignment may be screened as a self-referral at the request of their GP. If you have a symptom, you should see your GP in the usual way.

I am changing from a woman to a man. Will I still be offered breast screening?

Individuals who are undergoing female to male gender reassignment will continue to be invited for breast screening as long as they are registered as a woman, unless they ask to be removed from the programme or have had both breasts removed.

What happens to my mammograms after screening?

The screening programme regularly checks records to make sure the service is as good as possible. Staff in other parts of the health service may need to see your records for this, but your records will only be shared with people who need to see them.

How do I opt out of breast cancer screening?

If you don't want to be invited for breast screening in the future, contact your GP or your breast cancer screening unit and ask to be removed from their list of women eligible for screening.

Introduction

Breast screening aims to find breast cancers early. It uses an X-ray test called a mammogram that can spot cancers when they are too small to see or feel.

Why is mammography offered

The NHS offers screening to save lives from breast cancer. Screening does this by finding breast cancers at an early stage, when they are too small to see or feel.

When it's offered

Women who are aged 50-70 and registered with a GP are automatically invited for breast screening every three years.

What happens during breast screening?

Breast screening is carried out at special clinics or mobile breast screening units. It's carried out by female members of staff who take mammograms (X-rays of the breast).

Your breast cancer screening results

After your breasts have been X-rayed, the mammogram will be checked for any abnormalities. About one in 25 women will be called back for further assessment.

I haven't been called for breast screening even though I'm over 50 do I need to contact anyone?

The NHS Breast Screening Programme is a rolling one, which calls women from doctors' practices in turn. This means not every woman receives her invitation as soon as she is 50. It will be sometime between the ages of 50 and 53.

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