There are three screening options for women and a non-breast screening option. Screening tests can detect the most common health problems women will face over their lifetime.
Women aged between 50 and 70 years old can go to their GP and request to be invited for screening. Some women may be referred to a screening clinic, where further diagnostic tests are carried out. Women who go through this screening will be invited for a follow up if their results are normal or after a certain period of time if their results are abnormal.
If abnormal, they will be offered further investigation. The results of the further investigations may determine whether a woman needs to have breast cancer surgery or treatment.
What happens if I go for a screening?
As the screening has to be booked at least two weeks in advance, it will be organised at the earliest opportunity. The screening can be an in-clinic, day hospital, or outpatient procedure.
Women can choose where they get screened, but will-fi is not available for every service. People are invited to change their mind about which type of test they would like to have, but the form is available online (see below). Different options for breast screening Check the options below for the test your woman should get at each age.
Screening rates around the world
More than half of the world’s population is covered by screening programmes.
There are two main categories of screening programme:
Ex-Rad
Ex-Rad tests check for mutations in genes that play a role in the cells that make up the human breast cancer cells. They are more sensitive than traditional mammograms, but they require patients to have more tests and are not as common.
The following screening options are available in the UK:
Iso-Rad
Iso-Rad detects larger quantities of breast cancer cells by using radio waves rather than x-rays. It has been shown to be effective but requires the patient to have further tests to ensure they are well.
Screening choices around the world
Smoking is a major risk factor for breast cancer and research shows that women who smoke are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
Drinking alcohol and using hormones
Women who take oral contraceptives and take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are more at risk of developing breast cancer. While most women who get breast cancer are exposed to these factors at some point in their lives, many women who smoke start by starting before they are 30 years old.
Some of these factors are unlikely to affect a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer but those who have not done these things should still be getting regular check-ups. This article is not medical advice, it is a only a discussion on what to expect at the screening. Always speak to your doctor.
How to book a screening test
Your GP can book your screening test.
Why are there three screening options?
Screening tests work differently in different types of screening test. The current mammography screening method uses X-rays. The standard screening mammogram is X-ray plus dose of radio waves. This detects the most common breast cancers but can find the most common variants of breast cancer but are not as good at finding smaller breast cancer cells. As a result, there are two other types of screening, which all require additional tests.
Regular screening with mammography can reduce the risk of breast cancer death by about 50% and is often recommended for women aged 50-74 years. Breast screening reduces breast cancer risk for these women, but a small proportion of them have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer and will be diagnosed.
As a woman’s risk of breast cancer increases with age, these women are being offered the option to be regularly screened for 10 years. So a woman at 40 years of age will only be screened once.
If women are due to start a period or are breastfeeding and they have a new low density breast tissue ultrasound can be used to decide if they should have a mammogram or an X-ray screening.
Other ways of protecting against breast cancer
There is evidence that certain lifestyle choices reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. Controlling the amount of alcohol drunk and avoiding smoking can both reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Wearing a correctly fitting bra helps prevent breast leakage.
Breast cancer is becoming increasingly common in younger women. Recent research shows that young women are twice as likely to get breast cancer in their lifetime as older women. Girls, particularly those in their mid-teens and early twenties, are currently being advised not to start having periods until they are over 16 years of age.
A major study in 2004 found that women who had no children were still at increased risk of breast cancer.
What can I expect at a screening?
At your screening appointment you will be asked to answer a number of questions, and they may need to take a sample of your breast tissue. You will then be examined to make sure that you have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer.
The screening technician will then review your results and the risks and benefits of screening with the GP. After discussion with the doctor, a final decision will be made on what is best for you.