A note on terms:
Breast cancer can affect anybody, and everybody is welcome in CoppaFeel!’s community. We’re actively inclusive in our language and we ask people how they want to be described.
The word ‘chest’ is inclusive of all bodies and genders. When we need to be clinically accurate we use the word ‘breast’. You might prefer to call your chest something else, and that’s ok!
What is a breast screening?
A breast screening is a test used to find breast cancer. There are different tests that can be used during a breast screening that can find breast cancer even before you notice any symptoms, like mammograms and ultrasounds. Finding cancer early increases the chances of successful treatment.
Who is invited for breast screening?
In the UK, women aged 50–70 are invited to have breast screening every 3 years, as part of a national screening programme. It is rare for men to have breast cancer, so they are not invited to be screened.
If you’re a man and have noticed any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, you should speak to your GP.
Why don’t we screen women under 50?
In most cases, the risks of screening women under 50 would outweigh the benefits. Women with a high risk of breast cancer can be screened at any age. However, low-risk women under 50 are not invited to be screened as part of the national screening programme.
This is because x-rays expose you to a small amount of radiation. Any exposure to radiation can very slightly increase your risk of cancer.
Mammograms of young women are also more difficult to read, as their breast tissue is denser. This means women under 50 would need more frequent scans, which would then expose them to more radiation.
It is important to get to know your breasts or chest, whether you are screened or not. Make sure you know what is normal for you and your body and how to check your breasts.
If you’re worried about a symptom or find anything unusual on your breasts, make an appointment to see your GP, even if you have a scan appointment coming up.
What is a mammogram screening?
A mammogram screening is an x-ray of the breast. It checks for the early signs of breast cancer, even if the signs are too small for you to see or feel.
What happens during a mammogram screening?
During a mammogram screening a mammographer will take x-ray images of the breasts, to see if there is anything that doesn’t look right. Your breast will be gently pressed between two plates before an x-ray image is taken.
The x-ray images are usually ready in a few minutes. The images are then sent to a radiologist who will look for anything that could be breast cancer.
If there is something that doesn’t look right, you may need to have further tests, like a breast ultrasound scan.
Do mammograms hurt?
Some people say mammograms are uncomfortable but this lasts for just a few seconds.
It is important to apply enough pressure to the breast during a mammogram for the images to be clear enough. Whether a mammogram is painful or not depends on the person and the sensitivity of their breasts.
Can you have a mammogram if you’ve had implants?
You can still have a mammogram if you’ve had breast implants. Tell the mammographer so they can make it as comfortable as possible.
They may also need to take an extra image of the front of each breast so they can see all of the breast tissue, however they’ll ask for your permission before they do this.
You can also find out more about checking your breasts with implants.
How effective are mammograms?
Mammograms are effective when it comes to showing cysts and lumps in the chest area.
Occasionally, cancers may be missed or not shown on mammography. When symptoms are present, other tests such as additional mammography techniques, ultrasounds and MRIs may be used to help diagnose breast cancer.
Why am I being called back after a mammogram screening?
If you’re being called back for further tests after a mammogram screening, this doesn’t mean you have breast cancer. It could be because more tests are needed to get a closer look at an area of potential concern, or if the imaging was unclear.
If called back after a mammogram, you’ll likely have a breast ultrasound scan, or a biopsy where you’ll have the results within a few days.
What is a breast ultrasound scan?
If the x-ray images from your mammogram screening show potential signs of breast cancer, you may need to have a breast ultrasound scan.
This scan uses high-frequency sound waves to show an image of your breast tissue. With this image, doctors will be able to see anything that doesn’t look right, like cysts and lumps.
A breast ultrasound scan is painless and non-invasive (nothing goes through the skin or inside the body). It’s also completely safe and doesn’t use radiation.
What happens during a breast ultrasound?
During your breast ultrasound, you’ll be asked to undress down to the waist and sit or lie down by a specialist. They’ll then put a clear gel on your chest area and gently scan this area using a small device.
For the ultrasound, you will be asked to undress to the waist and sit or lie down on a couch. The specialist will put some clear gel on your breast and armpit, and then move the handheld scanner all over that area.
Who can have a breast ultrasound scan?
Breast ultrasound scans are useful for looking at young breast tissue. Younger peoples’ breast tissue is denser than in older people, which is why mammograms aren’t as effective when used on younger people.
Young, high-risk people without breast cancer symptoms may be referred for regular MRI breast screening scans. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It’s a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the inside of the body. Currently, MRI scanners and departments don’t have the capacity needed to offer this to the whole population.
Are breast ultrasounds safe if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Ultrasound scans are safe if you’re pregnant as well as if you’re breastfeeding.
How long does it take to get the results of a breast screening?
It doesn’t take long to get your breast screening results. Most NHS breast clinics offer ‘one stop’ appointments. You’ll have your consultation, examination and imaging on the same day, and you may even get your results too.
Biopsy results will not be available on the same day, and sometimes further imaging tests or biopsies are needed which will need to be booked for another date.
Breast screening FAQs
Why don’t people under 50 have routine mammograms in the UK?
Women with a high risk of breast cancer (for example those who carry the BRCA gene mutation) can be screened at any age.
Low-risk women under 50 and men are not invited to be screened as part of the national screening programme. This is because the risks are greater than the benefits. X-ray exposes you to a tiny amount of radiation, and any exposure to radiation can very slightly increase your risk of cancer. Mammograms on young women are also more difficult to read, as their breast tissue is denser. Women under 50 would need more frequent scans, so they would have more exposure to radiation. A lot can happen in the time between scans so the most important thing is that everyone gets to know their chests whether they are screened or not.
Our friends at the LGBTIQ+ cancer charity OUTpatients more information about breast cancer screening.
Why aren't people under 50 invited for MRI screening?*
*MRI is a type of scan which produces detailed images of the inside of the body.
Breast Screening with MRI is offered to younger people at higher risk of breast cancer and is very effective. Currently MRI scanners and departments don’t have the capacity needed to offer this to the whole population.
Do mammograms only find a small number of breast cancers?
Mammograms are highly sensitive in showing solid/fluid filled masses and other changes in the chest area. Breast screening finds early cancers before symptoms are felt and saves many people’s lives every year. Very occasionally, cancers may be missed or not shown on mammography. When symptoms are present, other tests such as additional mammography techniques, ultrasound and MRI may be used to help diagnose breast cancer.
A friend is going for a breast screening appointment and she will be given the results straight away, how do they do that?
Most NHS breast clinics offer ‘one stop’ appointments. This is when a consultation, examination and imaging all happen on the same day. The specialists will give results that day where possible. Biopsy results will not be available on the same day, and sometimes further imaging tests/biopsies are needed which may be booked on a different day.
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This information was published in April 2021. It will be revised in April 2024.