NHS Breast Screening Programme | Early Cancer Detection & Screening
Protect Your Health with the NHS Breast Screening Programme – Early Detection Saves Lives | Everest Health Partnership
The Possible Benefits of the NHS Breast Screening Programme: Early Detection of Breast Cancer Saves Lives
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with thousands of women diagnosed each year. Fortunately, the NHS Breast Screening Programme offers screening services to help detect breast cancer at an early stage, making it easier to treat and improving survival rates. Regular breast screening uses a mammogram, which is a specialised x-ray that can identify signs of cancer even before symptoms appear.
Who is Eligible for the NHS Breast Screening Programme?
The NHS England Breast Screening Programme offers routine screening every three years to women aged between 50 and 71. If you fall within this age group, you will receive a breast screening invitation through the post. The first screening mammogram is usually offered to women between 50 and 53, depending on when they become eligible. If you are over 71, you can still request your next screening appointment even if you no longer receive automatic invitations.
Why is Breast Screening Important?
Breast screening is a vital tool in detecting early-stage breast cancer, increasing the chances of successful treatment. The test called a mammogram can detect small changes in breast tissue that might not be visible through a breast examination. Detecting breast cancer early means it can be treated before it spreads, potentially reducing the need for extensive treatments such as surgery to remove the affected tissue, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy.
How Does Breast Screening Work?
When you attend your local breast screening unit, a radiographer can tell you what to expect. The mammogram is still the most effective method for spotting signs of cancer. The procedure involves placing each breast between two plates of the x-ray machine, which takes two images of each breast. The entire process is quick, usually lasting no more than 30 minutes.
Most women will receive their results within two weeks. If the mammogram don’t show any abnormalities, no further tests are needed until your next routine screening in 3 years’ time. However, if further investigation is required, you may be asked to attend additional tests such as a breast biopsy to tell whether any changes are cancerous.
The Benefits of the NHS Breast Screening Programme
- Early Detection Saves Lives
The programme helps detect early cases of breast cancer before they develop into advanced stages, increasing the chances of successful treatment. On average, 100 women who undergo screening could have their lives saved due to early detection. - Easier to Treat Breast Cancer
When cancer is detected early, it is often smaller and more contained. This makes treatment options such as surgery to remove the tumour, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy more effective. - Reduces the Need for Aggressive Treatments
Early-stage cancers may require less aggressive treatment compared to those diagnosed later. This means a higher chance of avoiding mastectomy, extensive chemotherapy, or prolonged radiotherapy. - Regular Screening Encourages Breast Awareness
Attending regular screenings encourages women to be more aware of how their breast look and feel, making it easier to detect any unusual changes between appointments. - Support for Women with Additional Needs
The NHS ensures accessibility for all women, including those with a learning disability. Special adjustments can be made to help these women attend their screening appointments comfortably.
Addressing Concerns About Breast Screening
- What if I Have Breast Implants?
Women with breast implants can still attend mammograms. Additional images may be taken to ensure the breast more clearly. - Can a Mammogram Miss Cancer?
While mammograms are highly effective, there is a small chance that some cancers may not be detected because the image is not clear enough. This is why it’s important to also check your breast look and feel regularly. - Does Screening Cause Cancer?
Mammograms use low doses of radiation, which rarely cause cancer. The benefits of early detection far outweigh any potential risks. - What if I am Transgender or Non-Binary?
If your sex is registered as female with the NHS, you will receive an invitation automatically. If you are transgender or non-binary, you may need to request screening depending on your circumstances.
Understanding Breast Cancer Staging and Treatment
If breast cancer is detected, doctors use a number staging system to determine how advanced it is. Treatment depends on a number of factors, including the cancer’s stage, size, and whether it has spread.
Breast cancer treatments may include:
- Surgery to remove the lump or entire breast (mastectomy)
- Radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells
- Hormone therapy to block the effects of hormones that fuel cancer growth
What Happens Next?
If you have been invited for screening, don’t delay—breast don’t wait. Receive a letter from the NHS and book your appointment straight away. Women across the UK benefit from this service, and different UK nations offer screening programmes tailored to their healthcare systems.
For more information or to discuss concerns, you can visit a cancer chat forum or speak with a medical professional at your local NHS screening centre.
What Happens If You Don’t Attend Breast Screening?
Each year, thousands of women in the UK each year miss their breast screening invitation, not realising the potential consequences. Without regular mammograms, early signs of cancer can go unnoticed, allowing the disease to develop and spread before any symptoms appear.
1. Delayed Diagnosis Can Mean More Aggressive Treatment
If breast cancer is not detected early, it has more time to grow and potentially spread to other areas of the body. This could lead to more aggressive treatments such as chemotherapy, extensive surgery to remove affected tissue, and prolonged radiotherapy sessions.
2. Lower Survival Rates
Early detection plays a significant role in survival rates. When breast cancer is found in its early stages, it is much easier to treat, often with less invasive procedures. However, if left undiagnosed, the chance of getting advanced-stage cancer increases, significantly lowering the survival rate.
3. Symptoms May Go Unnoticed Until It’s Too Late
Breast cancer doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms right away. Some women assume they will feel a lump or experience pain if something is wrong. However, this is not always the case. Breast don’t wait—cancer can develop silently, and by the time physical symptoms appear, it may already be at an advanced stage.
Local Breast Screening for All: Supporting Breast Awareness and Mammograms for Women with Learning Disabilities – Join the Cancer Chat Forum Today!
Increased awareness and education about breast health for women with learning disabilities can empower them to take control of their health. This includes ensuring that information about breast screening is provided in an understandable and supportive way. It also means offering assistance during appointments, including support workers or carers to help with communication, and ensuring the physical environment is accessible.
The Cancer Chat forum is a fantastic online platform where individuals can share their experiences, ask questions, and seek advice on topics such as breast cancer awareness, mammograms, and overall breast health. For women with learning disabilities, Cancer Chat provides a supportive space to discuss any concerns and learn from others who may have similar experiences. By joining the Cancer Chat forum, women with learning disabilities, their families, and carers can connect, gain knowledge, and feel supported in their health journeys.
Join today to be part of a community that is dedicated to providing support and resources for everyone’s health needs.
The Importance of Getting Screened on Time
1. Early Detection Saves Lives
Breast screening is designed to detect early signs of cancer before they become more serious. A mammogram can identify abnormalities that may not be felt during a physical examination, giving doctors the chance to intervene early.
2. Fast Results Mean Faster Treatment
When you attend your screening, you can expect to receive your results within 2 weeks. If any abnormalities are found, further tests can be arranged quickly, allowing treatment to begin as soon as possible. The sooner treatment starts, the better the outcome.
3. The NHS Offers Free, Regular Screenings
Women between the ages of 50 and 71 are automatically invited for a mammogram every three years. However, missing even one appointment could mean delaying diagnosis by several years, increasing the risk of more serious health complications.
Missed Your NHS Breast Screening Invitation? Here’s What to Do.
Breast screening is an essential health check that helps detect early signs of breast cancer. The NHS Breast Screening Programme invites eligible women every three years, and at Everest Health Partnership, we encourage patients to take up their invitation when it arrives.
Our patients were last invited for screening between July and November 2024, meaning they won’t receive another routine invitation until 2027. If you didn’t respond to your last screening invite, you may still be able to arrange an appointment.
How to Arrange a Breast Screening Appointment
If you missed your NHS breast screening invitation or are unsure whether you are eligible, you can contact the London Breast Screening Programme for further information:
📞 Call the London Breast Screening Programme Appointment Hub on 020 3758 2024
🌐 Visit the London Breast Screening Programme website: www.london-breastscreening.org.uk
It’s important to attend your screening when invited, as early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes. If you notice any changes in your breasts, such as lumps, pain, or skin changes, do not wait for your next screening—contact your GP immediately.
At Everest Health Partnership, we support your overall well-being and encourage all patients to stay informed about their health. If you have any concerns, speak to a healthcare professional for guidance.
Non-urgent advice: Please Note
Our skilled reception team is committed to connecting you with the most suitable member of our clinical team. To ensure you receive the highest level of care, they may ask a few quick questions about the reason for your visit.