Breast Screening (Mammogram)

What is Breast Screening?

 

Screening finds breast cancer at an early stage, when the cancer is too small to see or feel. At this size, it is usually easier to treat. Screening saves about 1,300 lives from breast cancer each year in the UK.

Breast screening uses an X-ray test to check the breast for signs of cancer. This is called a mammogram.

A mammogram can spot cancers that are too small to see or feel. If breast cancer is detected early, treatment is more successful and there’s a good chance of recovery. Screening does not stop you getting breast cancer.

 

Who is the screening for?

You need to be registered with a GP surgery to be invited for breast screening.

Breast cancer screening is offered to all women every 3 years, while they’re aged between 50 and 70. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you.

You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you'll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71.

If you're a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery or call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.

 

For further information view the website www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk

 

If you have not been invited for breast screening by the time you are 53 and think you should have been, contact your local breast screening service.

 

Leicestershire and Rutland Breast Screening Service

žThe Leicestershire & Rutland Breast Screening Service will be inviting women aged 50-70 and registered with General Practitioners in the area to attend for screening at a Mobile Unit at: Measham Medical Unit Car Park, High Street, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7HR.

Patients will be sent an open invitation to contact the office and arrange a breast mammogram appointment. Information is given on the invitation letter on how to change or cancel the appointment. 

žResults will be forwarded to each patient within three weeks, if the results have not reached you within three weeks please contact the screening office: 0116 258 3644

žAssessment

žScreening for some women is a two stage process. The second stage is held in the Glenfield Breast Care Centre, Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust.

Mobile Unit

  • Staffed by women radiographers
  • Attendance by appointment only
  • Arrive at allocated time (not before or late)
  • No waiting area available
  • Attend the mobile alone
  • Wear a face covering

Appointments consist of being asked to confirm their ID verbally or with passport should they not be able to do so.

A mammogram will be taken (special low dose x-rays) of each breast.