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Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK, with around 55,000 new cases diagnosed each year. However, research shows that early diagnosis can make all the difference. According to the NHS, 98% of women will survive breast cancer for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Breast screenings are one of the most effective ways to detect cancer early, and are routinely offered to women aged 50-71. Yet, research shows that over four in 10 women (46.3%) don’t act on their first breast screening invitation.
In light of this, NHS England recently launched a new phase of its ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign, encouraging women to attend breast screening appointments. Experts believe that if, next year (2025/26), screening attendance of those eligible could reach 80%, over 7,500 more cases of breast cancer could be detected earlier when the disease is more treatable.
With that said, we’ve partnered with the NHS to explore four reasons not to delay your breast screening.
What is breast screening?
Many people assume that, if they had cancer, they’d have symptoms. However, it’s common for breast cancer to be silent and remain undetected, particularly during the early stages.
Breast screenings use X-rays called mammograms to create detailed images of breasts. These images can detect signs of breast cancer that are too small to see or feel before you even notice any symptoms. They’re one of the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early, which is key for improving survival rates.
Note: It’s important to routinely check your breasts between mammograms, even if your screening shows no signs of breast cancer. If you notice any changes, contact your GP. The NHS has information on how to check your breasts on their website.
What happens at a breast screening appointment?
Breast screenings are carried out by female health specialists called mammographers. As part of your appointment, you’ll have four breast X-rays (mammograms) – two for each breast. Mammograms only take a few minutes each, and the whole appointment shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.
Before starting, the mammographer will check your details, ask if you’ve had any breast issues, and explain the screening process. You’ll have the opportunity to raise any questions or concerns you have. You’ll then be asked to undress to your waist in a private changing area. For this reason, it can be helpful to wear a skirt or trousers instead of a dress.
Mammograms involve placing one breast between two flat plates, where X-rays will be taken. You’ll typically have four X-rays – two for each breast. The mammograms only take a few minutes, and the whole appointment shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Some women experience mild discomfort during the mammograms due to compression, but this usually passes quickly. The compression helps to provide a clear picture and reduces the amount of radiation needed.
It’s normal to feel apprehensive about your breast screening, but your mammographer will do everything she can to help make the experience as comfortable as possible for you. You can find more information about what to expect during a breast screening appointment on the NHS website.
Who’s eligible for NHS breast screening?
While breast cancer can affect anyone, age and being female are key risk factors. As a result, women aged 50 to 71 who are registered with a GP in England will be invited for an NHS breast screening every three years. You’ll be invited by post, with your first invite automatically sent between the ages of 50 and 53.
Once you reach the age of 71, you’ll no longer receive automatic breast screening invitations. However, if you wish to continue with regular breast screening, this can be arranged by contacting your local breast screening service and self-referring. If you’ve had breast cancer before, you’ll typically be invited for a mammogram every year for the first five years following treatment, followed by a screening every three years if you’re over 50.
Research shows that women from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to attend breast screening compared to white women in the UK, with uptake being particularly lower in South Asian women. As part of its breast screening campaign, the NHS aims to address cultural barriers that prevent attendance and empower women with the information needed to prioritise their health.
Claire Rowney, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, says, “We know there are many reasons behind women not taking up their screening invite, and that uptake is lower amongst specific groups – including those living in more deprived areas and from certain minority ethnic communities – driving inequalities in early diagnosis and breast cancer survival.
“As such, NHS England’s plans to focus especially on reaching women who are less likely to get screened and often face additional barriers to attending is so crucial to the success of this campaign.”
Note: Breast screening isn’t routinely offered to men in the UK because their risk is lower due to having less breast tissue. However, men are still advised to regularly check their chests for any lumps or other unusual changes and speak to their GP if they have any concerns.
If you don’t live in England but are a woman between 50 and 71 in the UK, you can still access breast screening through the NHS. You’ll need to register with a GP in the area you live in and won’t be automatically invited to a screening as you would be if you lived in England. To ensure you receive a screening, you should contact your GP or local breast screening unit.
4 reasons not to delay your NHS breast screening
Attending cancer screenings is one of the best things you can do for your health. We’ll explore some of the main benefits below.
1. Breast screenings can detect silent symptoms of breast cancer
It’s easy to assume that if you had breast cancer, you’d notice symptoms such as a lump, knot, or thickening in the breast, or breast or nipple pain. For example, this survey of 2,000 women for the NHS revealed that almost a quarter (24%) of women wouldn’t attend their breast screening unless they already had symptoms like a lump.
However, it’s common for breast cancer to present no symptoms at all – particularly during the early stages.
The detailed images created by mammograms allow doctors to spot abnormalities that are too small to be picked up by the naked eye. This makes them one of the most effective ways to spot early signs of cancer that would otherwise go unnoticed.
2. Breast screenings can lead to earlier diagnosis and save lives
The longer that cancer goes undetected, the more difficult it is to treat. However, early diagnosis can make all the difference. According to the NHS, when diagnosed during its earliest stage, 98% of women survive breast cancer for five years or more.
By helping to detect breast cancer early, breast screenings are key for improving disease outcomes.
Last year alone, the NHS breast screening programme detected cancers in 18,942 women across England, which otherwise may not have been diagnosed or treated until a later stage. As a result, the programme is estimated to save around 1,300 lives every year.
3. Breast screenings are quick and easy
Many women find the thought of having a breast screening daunting. In fact, embarrassment over being topless has been highlighted as one of the main things holding people back from attending their screening
An NHS survey of 2,000 women revealed that almost 40% rarely or never talk about breast screening with their families and female friends; more than a fifth (21%) said embarrassment about being topless in front of someone would prevent them from attending; and 18.5% worry about breast screening being painful.
But, it’s important to remember that your health is the most important thing and there’s no reason to feel embarrassed. Breast screenings are carried out by female health specialists who do their role day-in-day-out. They’ve seen it all before and will do everything they can to help put you at ease and make the experience as comfortable as possible. You’ll also have the space to raise any questions, concerns, or worries.
4. Breast screenings can offer peace of mind
Breast screenings can be invaluable for detecting cancer before symptoms appear. However, they can also offer peace of mind that you’re in good health as, according to the NHS, most people who have a breast screening won’t need any further tests.
Many health conditions, including cancer, become more common later in life, so it’s normal to want to keep tabs on your wellbeing. Screenings can be particularly beneficial for putting your mind at rest if you’ve been experiencing symptoms or struggling with doubts about your health.
Liz Jadav from Kennington, London, says, “I think lots of women are worried about a cancer diagnosis and this puts them off from going to their screening appointment. But the mammogram isn’t cancer. The mammogram is knowledge.”
Final thoughts…
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in England, and the chances of developing it increase with age. Having regular breast screenings is one of the most effective ways to detect cancer in its early stages – saving thousands of lives every year and, for many of us, offering invaluable peace of mind.
If you’ve received your breast cancer screening invitation and haven’t yet attended, remember that this simple routine check could save your life – so it’s important to go.
To find out more about breast cancer screening, head over to the NHS website.
Do you attend your routine breast screenings? Has anything stopped you from attending? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.