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Information for women who have partial or incomplete mammography

Updated 31 October 2021

Applies to England

Public Health England (PHE) created this information on behalf of the NHS. In this information, the word ‘we’ refers to the NHS service that provides screening.

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Breast screening involves having 2 X-rays (mammograms) taken of each breast. Sometimes it is difficult to take all the mammograms we need for screening. In some cases, we can take all 4 X-rays, but they don’t show the whole breast.

If you had partial or incomplete mammography

There are different reasons why you may have had partial or incomplete mammography on one or both breasts.

If you needed to ask the radiographer to stop

Sometimes women find it uncomfortable or painful to have breast X-rays taken and ask to stop. If this was the case for you, then your screening results will be for whatever X-rays we were able to take. You are welcome to make another appointment to try and complete your examination, or try again to have a full set of X-rays taken.

If you have limited movement

If you have limited movement we may not have been able to help you get into the best position for mammography. This can mean only part of your breast tissue was X-rayed. Your screening results will only be for the areas of breast tissue we could see on the mammogram. If your movement improves in the future, please contact your screening unit. We can check your X-rays to see if repeating them would be helpful.

If you have a pacemaker or medical device

Depending on the position of the pacemaker or medical device, it may be difficult to X-ray the entire breast and sometimes only a partial mammogram is possible. Taking the X-rays will involve some pressure on the device, but we keep this to a minimum. Your screening results will only be for the areas of breast tissue we could see on the mammogram.

If you were unable to have mammography

Sometimes it is not possible to take the screening mammograms. This may be because:

• we could not position you to take good enough mammograms to justify the X-ray exposure
• you needed to ask the radiographer to stop
• you changed your mind and decided not to be screened

If you did not have mammography we will not send you a screening results letter.

We will invite you for screening again in 3 years’ time if you are still within the invitation age range. If you want to try and be screened again before then, please contact your local screening unit (see below).

More information about your appointment

If you would like to talk about your screening appointment, or make another appointment, please contact your local breast screening unit. Contact details are available:

• on your original appointment letter
• online at nhs.uk

Find out more information about NHS breast screening at nhs.uk.

Breast awareness

Being ‘breast aware’ simply means getting to know how your breasts look and feel at different times, and 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

Look for unusual changes

Unusual breast changes which may be a sign of breast cancer

TLC information reproduced with permission of Breast Cancer Now.

About this information

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Breast changes images copyright of Breast Cancer Now, and reproduced here with permission.