Guidance

71 or over? You can still have breast screening if you choose

Updated 4 August 2022

Applies to England

Breast screening is a way of detecting breast cancer, often at a very early stage. It involves X-rays called mammograms.

This guidance tells you more about breast screening if you are aged 71 or over and what you are entitled to.

If you are aged 71 or over, we do not automatically invite you for breast screening. However, you do have the right to free screening every 3 years if you ask. All you need to do is phone or write to your local breast screening unit to make an appointment. Visit NHS.UK to look up details of your local unit.

The risk of breast cancer at age 71 or over

If you are 71 or over you are more at risk of getting breast cancer than a younger woman. This is because the risk of getting breast cancer increases with age. About 1 in 3 of all breast cancers occur in women aged 71 or over.

Possible benefits and risks of breast screening in women aged 71 or over

We know that in women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday, about 1,300 lives are saved each year by finding breast cancer early. This means that one life is saved for every 200 women screened.

If small changes in the breast are found early, there is a good chance of recovery. But about 4,000 women each year are affected by overdiagnosis. This means screening finds a cancer that would never have become life-threatening. As women get older, overdiagnosis becomes more common. So it is more likely that women aged 71 or over could end up having treatment they do not need.

It is your choice whether or not to be screened. You can continue to be screened every 3 years if you want.

If you have previously had breast cancer, you can still be at risk. As long as you still have breast tissue, you can ask for screening every 3 years.

Before going for breast screening

Your breast screening appointment may be in a hospital, at a local breast screening unit, or on a mobile unit. We can help you to make a suitable appointment if you:

• need help dressing or undressing
• need wheelchair access
• have a problem getting to your appointment
• have breast implants

Please phone your local breast screening unit to discuss your needs.

Screening staff will be able to help you even if your first language is not English. We can provide information about breast screening in a range of languages and in an easy read format.

Your screening appointment

When you arrive you will be seen by a female mammographer who will explain what will happen. She will check your details, and ask about any breast problems you may have had. You can ask her any questions you have about breast screening.

You will need to undress to the waist to have your X-rays so it is a good idea to wear a skirt or trousers and a top.

The mammographer will place your breast onto the mammogram machine and lower a plastic plate onto it to flatten it. This keeps your breast still so they can get clear X-rays. The mammographer will take 2 X-rays of each breast.

The whole appointment takes less than 30 minutes, and the mammograms take only a few minutes.

What happens if something is found

We ask about 1 in every 20 women screened to come to an assessment clinic because more tests are needed. Sometimes women are called back because their first X-rays were not clear enough.

Being called back for more tests does not usually mean that you have cancer. Most women who need further tests will not have cancer. Only 1 in 8 will have cancer. If we do diagnose cancer, earlier treatment is more likely to be successful.

If breast cancer is diagnosed

Most breast cancers found at screening are at an early stage. This means treatment can be more effective. Many women with breast cancer live a normal life following treatment.

It is not always possible to cure breast cancer completely but early diagnosis may offer more treatment options. Around 2 out of 3 cancers found at screening are still small enough to be removed from the breast. This means that the whole breast does not have to be removed. Removing the whole breast is called a mastectomy.

Not all breast cancers will cause harm during a woman’s lifetime, even if they aren’t treated. However, doctors cannot always tell which cancers will become life-threatening or not. This means we offer treatment to all women with breast cancer.

Clinical trials for women diagnosed with cancer

You may be offered the chance to take part in a clinical research trial. These are used to gather information about the best types of treatment for breast cancer. This means we can help women more effectively in the future. The doctor will talk about any available trials with you so that you can decide if you want to take part or not.

Being ‘breast aware’

Being ‘breast aware’ simply means:

• getting to know how your breasts look and feel at different times
• telling your doctor straight away if you notice any unusual changes

Breast tissue changes as you get older, and every woman’s breasts are different.

It is important that you continue to look at and check your breasts regularly, even if you have just had a mammogram.

It’s as simple as TLC…

TOUCH your breasts. Can you feel anything unusual?
LOOK for changes. Is there any change in shape or texture?
CHECK anything unusual with your doctor

The images and TLC information are reproduced with permission of Breast Cancer Now.

Look for unusual changes

Unusual changes in the breast which may be symptoms of breast cancer

Although it is rare, men can get breast cancer too. Men with symptoms should speak to their doctor as soon as possible.

Find more information about breast screening.

The NHS screening programmes use your personal information to ensure you are invited for screening at the right time. NHS England also uses your information to ensure you receive high quality care. You can find out more about how your information is used and protected, and your options.

Find out how to opt out of screening.

You can view and print this information in a larger font size, and use a screen reader for an audio version. We can provide a braille version of this information - email phe.screeninghelpdesk@nhs.net

About this document

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Breast symptom images courtesy of Breast Cancer Now