About Screening

 

Information Leaflets - Breast screening explained (mobile unit)

 

This leaflet tells you about breast screening. Breast Test Wales is part of the NHS breast screening programme. Breast screening is for all women aged 50 and over.

 

1 What is breast screening?

Breast screening looks for breast cancer before symptoms show. This involves taking x-rays (mammograms) of the breast. At least two x-rays of each breast are taken.

 

2 Why is it important?

Breast cancer can affect any woman but is more common in women aged over 50. The risk of developing breast cancer is related to age - the older you are, the higher your risk. It affects one in nine women in Wales at some time in their lives. If we find breast cancer at an early stage, treatment has the greatest chance of being successful. The best way of screening for breast cancer is by having regular mammograms, as you may not be able to see or feel early changes.

 

3 Who does Breast Test Wales screen?

We invite women aged between 50 and 70 every three years. We identify women from their GPs’ lists, so it is important that your doctor always has your correct name and address.

We invite women from each doctor’s practice in turn. You will not necessarily get your invitation in the year that you turn 50. As long as you are registered with a doctor, we will invite you for breast screening before your 53rd birthday.

Women over age 70 may ask us for an appointment every three years by getting in touch with their local Breast Test Wales screening centre.

Women aged between 50 and 70 who are being followed up at a hospital breast clinic will still receive an invitation from us unless they ask us to stop sending them.

We may also send an invitation to women who have had a bilateral mastectomy (both breasts removed) if we have not been told by them or their GP about this.

If you think you should not have been invited, please let us know straight away.

Routine breast screening for women under 50 and without symptoms has not yet been proven to reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer.

Whatever age you are, if you are worried about any breast problem, please contact your doctor. They may refer you to the breast clinic of your local hospital.

 

4 Where do I go for breast screening?

We carry out breast screening in a mobile screening unit or at one of our screening centres. Your invitation letter tells you where to go and how to change your appointment.

 

5 What should I wear?

It may be easier to wear a separate top as you will have to undress to the waist. You can wear deodorant if you want as it will not affect the procedure.

 

6 What will happen?

When you arrive, we will check your personal details. We will show you to a private changing cubicle. From there, a female radiographer or mammography practitioner will take you through to another room for your mammograms. She will explain the procedure to you. She will then place your breasts, one at a time, between two special plates and take the x-rays.

 

7 Will the procedure hurt?

Some women find the procedure uncomfortable and a few may find it painful. We need to press to produce good quality mammograms at a low radiation dose. The pressure will only last for a few seconds. If you do experience pain, it usually only lasts for as long as the procedure takes. In a very small number of women, it may continue for some time.

 

8 What happens next?

Specialist staff will check your mammograms. We aim to send your result to you by post within three weeks. We also tell your GP the result.

We then invite women aged between 50 and 70 again three years later as part of the routine screening process.

Screening will miss some cancers. If you notice any changes or have any concerns in between your screening appointments, you should see your GP straight away. Please do not wait for your next routine screening appointment.

 

9 What does it mean if I am called back?

Sometimes we need to call women back because of a technical fault. We will tell you if this is the reason.

We call back about one in every 20 women that we screen because the appearance on the x-ray suggests that more tests are needed. These tests may include more mammograms, a clinical examination, an ultrasound scan and possibly a needle biopsy. Most of these women will not have any problems and we will call them back again in three years as part of the routine screening process.

 

10 What if I need treatment?

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, finding it early gives the best chance of successful treatment. We will fully discuss the options with you and agree arrangements for your treatment.

 

11 What happens to my x-rays once they have been checked?

We keep all of your mammograms so that we can:

• compare your latest mammograms with ones you have had before;
• review all screening records, including mammograms;
• train and increase the expertise of our specialist staff; and
• measure the quality of the service we provide.

Staff who work elsewhere in the health service may need to see your records to help with your medical care. If a review shows that you should have been cared for differently, we will contact you. If you want, we will give you more information about your case.

For more information about the records we keep, please contact your local Breast Test Wales screening centre and ask for our leaflet 'How we use information about you'.

 

12 How accurate is breast screening?

Mammograms are the most efficient way of detecting breast cancer early. Like other screening tests, they are not perfect. For example:

• some cancers are very difficult to see;
• some cancers, even though they are there, cannot be seen at all; and
• the person reading the x-ray may miss the cancer. (This will happen occasionally, no matter how experienced the reader is.) We aim to have two specialists check all the mammograms.

 

13 What happens if...?

I have not accepted previous invitations, can I still come?

Yes, we would like you to come even if you have not been before.

I have had mammograms elsewhere?

You may still come, as long as it was more than six months ago. If it was more recent, please contact us.

I have a disability?

Please contact us, even if you have been in the past. Our mobile screening units may not be accessible, but we will try to arrange a reasonable alternative.

I have implants, can I still go for screening?

Yes, but it is more difficult to screen you. In addition the implant is dense and will hide some breast tissue and screening may be less effective. Please contact us as we may need to change your appointment.

I need someone with me?

There is not much space on the mobile units, so please contact us for more information before your appointment.

I need to claim travel expenses?

If you are on Income Support, you can reclaim your expenses. Please ask us for a form.

I need an interpreter?

We can normally arrange the help of an interpreter. Please let us know at least a week before you come.

I would like to know about the radiation dose?

Mammography involves a tiny dose of radiation - the risk to your health from this is very small. If you are worried about the examination or have any questions, please ask the radiographer.

 

14 The facts

To help you decide whether or not to come for breast screening, we have outlined the main benefits and drawbacks of screening for breast cancer below.

 

15 More information and support

If you have any questions about the service:

• contact your local Breast Test Wales screening centre;
• ask your doctor; or
• visit the following websites:
  • www.screeningservices.org.uk/btw
  • www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
  • www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

We can supply this information in other languages, in large print, on audio or in Braille.

[BTW26(Ver2)06/06]