Breast screening

In the UK women aged 50 to 65 are invited to attend for breast screening every three years as part of a national breast screening programme. This programme aims to find breast cancer very early so that women have the best chance of the cancer being cured. If you are aged 65 or over you can continue to have regular screening and you can ask your GP to arrange this for you. By the end of 2004 the screening programme will be expanded, so that women up to the age of 70 will be invited to attend for breast screening every three years.

You may also be referred to a breast clinic for tests at any age if you find a change or lump in your breast tissue that worries you, even if you are already having screening as part of the breast screening programme. Your GP can refer you.