National Breast Screening
29 July 2025
Why the NHS offers breast screening
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. Screening does not prevent you from getting breast cancer.
Breast screening does have some risks. Some women who have screening will be diagnosed and treated for breast cancer that would never otherwise have been found or caused them harm.
About 1 in 7 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Breast cancer treatment is more successful and there’s a better chance of recovery if cancers are detected at an early stage, which is why it’s so important for women aged 50 to 71 to attend their breast screening when invited.
If you’ve received a breast screening invitation, you can book an appointment that suits you on the NHS London breast screening website. If you cannot attend your appointment or missed it, it’s not too late – call the London Breast Screening Hub on 020 3758 2024 to discuss the options available in your local area, which may include evening or weekend appointments.
Why you have been invited for breast screening
All women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday are invited for breast screening every 3 years. NHS send first invitations to screening some time between your 50th and 53rd birthdays.
If you are aged 71 or over, you are still at risk of breast cancer. Although you will no longer receive screening invitations after your 71st birthday, you can still have breast screening every 3 years. You will need to ask your local breast screening unit for an appointment. Find details of your local unit on the NHS.UK website.
Some local breast screening services may send you SMS (text) appointment reminders for breast screening.
Arranging your appointment
Contact the screening office on 0203 758 2024 to get this booked in at your earliest convenience. Alternatively you can book online https://www.london-breastscreening.org.uk/ChangeAppFormW2.aspx – (you will need your NHS number if booking online) – The Closest Breast Screening Service is located at:
The Rose Centre
St Georges Healthcare NHS Trust
Perimeter Rd
London
SW17 0QT
For Information on screening please see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/
Breast screening
Breast screening uses an X-ray test called a mammogram to check the breast for signs of cancer. It can spot cancers that are too small to see or feel.
Choosing to have breast screening
When you arrive at the breast screening unit, the staff will check your details and ask you about any breast problems you have had. If you have any questions, please ask.
Mammograms are carried out by women called mammographers. The mammographer will first explain what will happen. She will then place your breast onto the mammogram machine and lower a plastic plate onto it to flatten it. This helps to keep your breast still and get clear X-rays.
The mammographer will usually take 2 X-rays of each breast, one from above and one from the side. She will go behind a screen while the X-rays are taken. You have to keep still for several seconds each time.
The whole appointment takes less than 30 minutes and the mammogram only takes a few minutes.
Communications resources for patients
Explaining the breast screening programme
The NHS website has a dedicated webpage, which shares information on when, why and how clients will be invited for their breast screening. It also includes information on what happens at the appointment and resources for further support.
Information leaflets
From easy read leaflets to information on how to help eligible women make an informed choice, the GOV.UK website has a range of resources that can be printed or downloaded to help you communicate the importance of breast screening