Breast Screening.
What is Breast screening:
It is a method of detecting cancer at a very early stage. The first step
involves an x ray
of each breast
(a mammogram)
which is taken while carefully compressing the breast. Most women find it a bit
uncomfortable and a few find it painful. The mammogram can detect small changes
in breast tissue which may indicate cancers which are too small to be felt by
the woman herself or by a doctor.
What does the NHS Breast Screening Programme do:
It provides free
breast screening every three years for all women in the UK aged
between 50 and 70.
Around one and a half million women are screened each year.
The programme is
a rolling one, which invites women from GP practises in turn, not
every woman will receive an invitation at 50, but she will receive one before
she is 53.
The NHS programme
is effective part of the UK’s efforts to reduce the death toll from breast
cancer. The latest research shows that the programme is now saving 1,400
lives every year in England.
How is the programme organised?
There are around
80 specialised breast screening units across the UK, each inviting
a defined population of eligible women through their GP practises.
Why are women under 50 not invited?
This is because mammograms are
not as effective in pre-menopausal women.
Women can ask their GP to refer them to a hospital breast clinic if they are
concerned about a specific breast problem or otherwise worried about the risk of
breast cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
I am over 50 and have not been called for screening yet – do I need to contact anyone?
The programme is a rolling one so not every woman receives an invitation as soon as she reaches 50. If you are registered with a GP and the practise has your correct details you will automatically receive an invitation.
My sister has
already had her invitation even though she is younger than me, have
I been forgotten?
She is probably
registered with a different GP and the women at that practise have
been called before those registered with your GP.
I’ve found a lump in my breast-can you tell me how I can get a mammogram?
The NHS screening
programme invites women in the correct age group as a matter
of routine. It is not aimed at women who already have symptoms. So if you have
found something that worries you, consult your GP in the usual way. He or she
will decide whether or not you need to be referred for further investigation or
treatment.
Why doesn’t the NHS screen younger women?
Mammograms are
not as effective in younger women because the density of the breast tissue makes
it more difficult to detect problems, and also because the incidence of breast
cancer is lower. The average age of the menopause in the UK is 50 and so this
is the age when women join the breast screening programme.
Can I walk into a breast screening unit and request a mammogram?
No – the programme does not operate on a walk-in basis. If you have concerns about your breast health, consult your GP.
Why does breast screening stop at 70?
It doesn’t. although women over 70 are not routinely invited for screening, they are encouraged to call the local unit to request breast screening every three years.
Could my company organise breast screening for its employees?
No - the
programme is not organised like that, all units ( even the mobile ones,) serve
a defined population of eligible women, who are invited to attend through their
GPs.
You can help
raise awareness of screening by talking to family and friends.
THE BREAST SCREENING PROGRAMME IN THE UK HAS SCREENED MORE THAN
19 MILLION WOMEN AND HAS DETECTED AROUND 117,000 CANCERS
Further full information is
available on
http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk