NHS breast screening uses X-rays, called mammograms, to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel. Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you. You need to be registered with a GP surgery to be invited for breast screening.
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.
Black Country Integrated Care System (ICS) have produced the below video summarising what to expect from the Breast Screening programme. The video explains why it is important to attend, what to expect when you attend your screening appointment and the process that follows.
This resource is also available in Arabic, Hindi, Polish, Romanian, Urdu, Bengali, Ukrainian, Somali, Russian, Kurdish, Gujarati, Punjabi and BSL interpretation via the link below.
Translated videos
For breast screening we have seven providers in the West Midlands.
We have a mixed model of service delivery across the 15 Providers with static and mobile delivery, similarly the invitation methodology is variable to support and inform population access, coverage and uptake into the programme – this is currently in line with national guidance.
GOV UK: Breast Screening Programme Overview OUTpatients UK: Best for my Chest Breast Screening Campaign for LGBTIQ+ Community NHS: Information on Breast Screening NHS: Breast Cancer Information NHS: How to Check Your Breasts/Chest
GOV UK: Breast Screening Programme Overview
OUTpatients UK: Best for my Chest Breast Screening Campaign for LGBTIQ+ Community
NHS: Information on Breast Screening
NHS: Breast Cancer Information
NHS: How to Check Your Breasts/Chest