BREAST SCREENING SERVICE

We currently invite all women between 50 and 70 years old for breast screening.

We offer breast screening every 2 years and you should get your first invitation before your 51st birthday.

We do not send you an invitation if you are over 70 but you are still encouraged to come for screening every 2 years. Appointments can be made via the UK Screening office by calling +44 1624 685339.

Whatever age you are, if you are ever worried about any breast problem, please contact your Doctor straight away who will refer you for a specialist opinion if necessary.

Screening

Breast screening uses X-rays to look for breast cancers when they are too small to be seen or felt. The X-rays are called mammograms.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and it is more likely as you get older. Breast screening reduces deaths from breast cancer.

Benefits:

• Regular screening prevents deaths from breast cancer.
• Screening can find cancer early, before you know it’s there. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better your chance of surviving it.
• If a breast cancer is found early, you are less likely to have a mastectomy (your breast removed) or chemotherapy.

As long as you are registered with a Doctor residents eligible for screening will receive an invitation letter to participate in the Breast Screening Programme from the UHCW NHS Trust Breast Screening Service. This office has been appointed by the Isle of Man Department of Health to manage this programme on our behalf.

You will attend:

If you are unable to attend this appointment please telephone +44 1624 685339 so that it may be used by someone else.

Breast Screening

Breast screening is carried out by female staff only. You will only be asked to undress from the waist up. Do not use talcum powder, spray or deodorant when you go for screening.

The woman who takes your mammograms will ask you a few questions and will explain what will happen. She will place each breast one at a time between the two plates of the mammogram machine. Two images of each breast are taken. Your breast needs to be pressed firmly between the plates for a few seconds so that clear mammograms can be taken.

A mammogram takes a few minutes. Your breast screening visit may last up to about half an hour altogether. Some women find mammography uncomfortable.

Some women find it painful, but only for a few seconds. Very few women find the pain lasts longer than this.

Results

Your results letter will be sent to your home address within 2 weeks. Your GP will also be told your results.

Most women get a normal screening result (their mammogram shows no sign of cancer). However, this doesn’t mean you can’t get breast cancer, so you should still be breast aware.

Around one in 20 women are called back because their mammograms show that more tests are needed. This happens more often for women having their first mammograms. This is normally because we do not have other mammograms to compare with. Something that looks unusual on your first mammograms may be completely normal for you.

At your second visit we may do further tests, including more mammograms, an ultrasound scan or a needle biopsy. A needle biopsy is when we take a small sample of tissue (a local anaesthetic is used to do this). We do these tests to show whether or not you have breast cancer.

If you choose not to undergo screening a new screening due date will be set again in 2 years time if you still fall within eligible age group.

Although a reminder letter is sent to you 8 weeks after you have been invited to attend screening.

Help and Support

For advice and support please telephone +44 1624 642570

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