A new NHS campaign - Breast screening saves lives - is encouraging people to take up and turn up to their screening when invited.
Breast screening in the UK is a program that uses mammograms to detect breast cancer in women between the ages of 50 and 71. It's offered every three years saves and around 1,300 lives each year in the UK. Finding cancer early can make it more likely that treatment will be successful.
Nationally, over 40% of women who are invited to a breast screening appointment don’t take it up.
Research shows the leading reasons that people in Cumbria do not attend their appointment is due to feeling embarrassed and because they don’t have any symptoms.
Dr Louise Dodgeon, Lead Clinician Breast Radiology from NCIC, is keen to make you feel more at ease.
She said: “I know having a cancer screening can feel daunting and you may feel a little embarrassed, but I want to reassure you that you're in safe hands and have nothing to be embarrassed about. Our job is to make this process as smooth and comfortable as possible for our patients.
“Most people screened have normal results, but if anything needs a closer look, we catch it early—when it's most treatable. You're doing the best thing for your future self by taking up your screening as soon as you can.
“Breast screening is a quick and important step in taking care of your health, and while it may feel like an inconvenience now, it's far better to catch cancer in the early stages."
What to expect during your appointment
During breast screening you'll have 4 breast X-rays (mammograms), 2 for each breast.
The mammograms are done by a specialist called a mammographer. The mammographer will be female.
The mammograms only take a few minutes. The whole appointment should take about 30 minutes.
Before starting, the mammographer will check your details with you and ask if you have had any breast problems.
They will also explain what will happen during the screening and answer any questions you have.
How breast screening is done
Breast screening is usually done by 1 or 2 female mammographers. You can ask them about any questions or concerns you have.
- You'll need to undress, in a private changing area, so you are naked from the waist up. You may be given a hospital gown to put on.
- You'll be called into the X-ray room and the mammographer will explain what will happen.
- The mammographer will place your breast onto the X-ray machine. It will be squeezed between 2 pieces of plastic to keep it still while the X-rays are taken. This takes a few seconds and you need to stay still. Your breast will be taken off the machine afterwards.
- The X-ray machine will then be tilted to one side and the process will be repeated on the side of your breast.
- Your other breast will be X-rayed in the same way.
- You will then return to the changing area to get dressed.
Your results will be sent to you in the post.
Read more about Breast screenings (mammogram)
Dr Dodgeon finished by saying: “Catching cancer early is key. When caught in the early stage, most women (almost 100%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis.”
Please go to your appointment if invited. Everyone should check their breasts regularly and if you notice anything unusual such as pain or new lumps, then please contact your GP.