Breast screening helps detect cancer early: Here's how it works
What screening can and can’t do.
Breast screening helps find signs of cancer at an early stage, before there are any symptoms.
Around 1 in 25 women who have breast screening need further tests. But being called back doesn’t mean you have cancer – it could just mean that the first mammogram was unclear.
If you are called back for more tests, you may have another mammogram, an ultrasound or a breast examination. You might also have a biopsy. Most of these tests show no cancer. But they may find any cancer early, which makes it easier to treat and provides a better chance of recovery.
A negative (normal) result means that nothing was picked up in the screening process. But there is a small chance you will receive a negative mammogram result when cancer is present.
Cancer can occur at any time, including between your screening appointments. Screening doesn’t prevent you from getting breast cancer so it’s important to be aware of any changes in your breasts and of the symptoms of breast cancer.
Remember, screening is for healthy women who don’t have symptoms. If you have symptoms of breast cancer, contact your GP without delay.
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