Published on: 10 March 2025
NHS is urging women to book Breast Screening as part of new campaign
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK, and the chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older. Despite this, a third of women in the West Midlands say they would be too embarrassed to attend a mammogram, while one in six say they would ignore a screening invite if they didn’t think they had cancer symptoms.
Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot a cancer that is too small to feel or see yourself – it saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.
Anyone registered with a GP as female aged from 50 up to their 71st birthday will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years. You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you.
While you should never wait for symptoms to occur before booking your screenings, it’s always important to know the signs of breast cancer. They include lumps, swelling or pain in your breast or armpit, a change in shape of your breasts or nipples, noticeable changes to the skin or discharge from your nipples. Symptoms of breast cancer in women - NHS
Finding cancer early can make it more likely that treatment will be successful. Breast screenings can detect cancer long before you can even feel it. More likely, thought, it’s a way to put your mind at rest. So, when you're invited, save the date, it could save your life.
Search ‘NHS breast screening’ to find out more Breast screening (mammogram) - NHS
Dr Louise Bramble, GP and Women’s Health Lead for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: “Like all cancers, breast cancer is much easier to treat if it’s caught early. The screenings could even detect cancer before any symptoms become apparent, such as finding a lump or swelling, so it’s really important you attend them when asked to.
Women from 50 to their 71st birthday are invited for a screening every three years as a preventative measure, and I urge every woman in Herefordshire and Worcestershire that’s eligible for a breast screening to get an appointment booked in.
If you haven’t been called yet, but think you should have been, please contact you GP surgery. It only takes a few minutes, and could save your life.”
