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| Breast Screening | |
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There is a national breast screening programme, in which every woman between the ages of 50 and 65 is invited to attend for X ray examination of the breasts, known as mammography. The programme aims to screen women in this group every 3 years. Mammography is technically difficult to perform and to interpret in pre-menopausal women because of the higher density of breast tissue before the menopause. If a woman has a first degree relative (i.e. sister or mother) who has (had) breast cancer, then they can be admitted to the screening programme. Their screening will begin when they are 5 years younger than the age at which their relative developed breast cancer. Admission to the programme needs a referral by your doctor, so if you think you should be screened, have a chat with your GP. This screening is in addition to breast self-examination, which every woman should carry out regularly. |
