The NHS Breast Screening Programme provides free breast screening every three years for all women in the UK aged 50 and over. Around one-and-a-half million women are screened in the UK each year. The NHS Breast Screening Programme is phasing in an extension of the age range of women eligible for breast screening to those aged 47 to 73 starting in 2010.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme will extend the age range of women eligible for breast screening to ages 47 to 73 by 2012.
There are aroundﾠ 90 breast screening units across the UK. All women registered with a GP will receive their first invitation to attend for a mammogram some time between their 50th and 53rd birthdays. Invitations are then sent every three years until a woman reaches her 71st birthday. If you have not received an invitation, your GP can arrange for one to be sent to you. If you have any worrying breast symptoms while waiting for a breast screening appointment, contact your GP, who can refer you to the breast clinic if necessary.
You can access more information regarding breast screening onﾠthe NHS Breast Screening Programme website.