The whole appointment takes around 30 minutes, and the mammogram itself only takes a few minutes. It involves having four breast X-rays, two for each breast. You will always see a female practitioner.
*You need to be registered with your GP to be invited to for a screening.
Sarah, BD16
“I had no idea at all, and to find out so early meant it was going to be very treatable.”
Rubina, BD7
“I always go to my screening, my husband never lets me miss my appointment.”
At your appointment, you will have an X-ray (called a mammogram) of each breast. It can help to find cancer early when it is more treatable. It doesn’t matter if you have no symptoms.
An appointment is waiting for you. Book yours.
What to expect
If you’re eligible for breast screening, you’ll receive an invitation by post. This may:
- Ask you to book an appointment by phone, email, or online.
- Give you a pre-booked appointment time and location.
If you need to change or cancel, contact the breast screening service you booked your appointment with. If you were sent a booked appointment, your letter will tell you how to change or cancel your appointment.
At your appointment:
- You’ll be shown to a private changing room and asked to undress from the waist up.
- Breast screening is usually carried out by one or two female mammographers. You can ask them questions and talk about any concerns you have.
- Your breast will be gently placed on the X-ray machine and pressed between two plastic plates for a few seconds to keep it still.
- Your breast will be taken off the machine afterwards.
- The X-ray machine will then be tilted to one side, and the process will be repeated on the side of your breast. Your other breast will be X-rayed in the same way.
- Two X-rays are taken for each breast
You’ll then return to the changing room to get dressed. The whole appointment should take about 30 minutes.
Hints and tips
- You may want to wear a top with a skirt or trousers so you only need to undress from the waist up.
- You can talk to the breast screening team if you are nervous. Many Bradford women bring a friend or family member to help them feel relaxed
- Let the team know if you have breast implants, a pacemaker, or are pregnant.
Understanding your results
You’ll usually get your results within 2 weeks through the post.
No sign of breast cancer
Most people receive this result and will be invited again in 3 years.
Need further tests
This doesn’t always mean cancer. You will be invited for more tests, which may be an examination of your breast, another mammogram, ultrasound scans of your breast, or taking a small sample (biopsy) from your breast using a needle. Most people who need further tests will not be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Frequently asked questions
Who is invited for breast screening?
Women aged 50–71 registered with a GP are invited every three years.
What happens at the appointment?
The whole appointment usually takes about 30 minutes, with the mammogram itself lasting only around 5 minutes. You’ll be asked to undress from the waist up in a private changing room. A trained mammographer will take two X-rays of each breast – one from above and one from the side. It can feel a little uncomfortable for a few seconds, but it’s over quickly.
Will the mammographer be female?
Yes – you will always see a female practitioner.
Will the mammogram hurt?
Some people find the compression uncomfortable or slightly painful, but it only lasts a few seconds. This is because the breasts need to be held firmly and pressed to get a good X-ray. Any pain or discomfort usually disappears shortly after the mammogram is complete. If you are concerned about the pain, you can talk to the mammographer, who is trained to help you feel more comfortable, and you can ask to stop at any time.
When will I get my results?
You should get your results within two weeks of your screening appointment.
What if I am over 70?
You won’t be invited automatically, but you can request an appointment every 3 years by contacting your breast screening unit.
What if I have a disability, need extra support, or am nervous?
You have the right to ask for reasonable adjustments. You can ask for a longer appointment, or even a visit to look at the rooms and equipment beforehand, to help with anxiety.
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You’ll need to be registered with a GP to receive your invitation.