Breast Cancer Screening

Breast screening involves taking mammograms (x-rays of your breast) to detect breast cancer. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better chances of successful treatment. Breast cancer can occur at any age but risk increases with age. Find out if you will be offered screening or how to request it.

Breast screening appointments

The Northern Ireland breast screening programme is for women who have no signs or symptoms of breast disease.

Women aged 50 to 70, who are registered with a GP, are invited every three years.

So you may be invited for the first time, either:

  • the year you turn 50 (so you may still be 49 or 50)
  • before your 52nd birthday (the year you turn 51)
  • before your 53rd birthday (the year you turn 52)

All eligible women should be invited for the first time before their 53rd birthday.

If you are registered with a GP and the practice has your correct details, then you will automatically receive an invitation. You don't need to contact anyone but it is important your GP has your correct details.

If you have recently moved into an area or  are overdue screening, you will be offered a screening appointment. You can contact the local screening unit if you think you are due a mammogram.

Coronavirus (COVID-10): impact on screening

Due to measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the number of women the programme can screen is reduced to help with social distancing and infection control measures - This has led to a backlog of women awaiting screening. 

Screening for women over 70 years of age

If you are over 70 you will stop receiving screening invitations - If you want breast screening, you can arrange an appointment by contacting your local screening unit.

Download the leaflet for more information: Looking after your breasts - Aged over 70

Breast screening process and getting your results

Breast screening usually takes less than 30 minutes and is carried out by a mammographer (a mammographer is a radiographer who specialises in breast x-rays).

You and your GP should get your screening results within two weeks. If you don’t hear anything by this time, you can phone your breast screening unit to find out about your results.

If your result is normal, it will be three years until your next screening appointment.

Going to a screening appointment

Screening is carried out in a number of locations across Northern Ireland.

You will be sent an appointment in the post - If your appointment date, time or location don’t suit, you can ask for a different appointment by contacting your screening unit.

If you do not go to your first offered appointment you will be notified by follow-up letter.  If you wish to make a further appointment you need to contact the appropriate unit and you will be offered the next available appointment. 

If you do not contact the unit you will routinely be invited again in three years.  However, if you change your mind before then you can contact your local breast screening unit to arrange an appointment.

Breast screening is by appointment only. The screening programme does not operate on a walk-in basis. If you are concerned about your breast health you should contact your GP immediately.

Breast screening locations

Breast screening is carried out at both static and mobile units throughout Northern Ireland.

The locations for breast screening are at:

Getting called back after screening results

Some women (about four in 100) are called back to the breast screening unit after their first mammogram for further tests.  This does not necessarily mean there’s something wrong - three out of four women recalled have normal results after these further tests.

Self-examination between appointments

Breast screening does not prevent breast cancer. It helps detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment can be more successful.

Breast cancer can develop at any time and some women can develop it between screening visits.

You should check your breasts regularly for any changes. If you have any concerns contact your GP, even if you have had a recent mammogram.

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