Download Title - Breast Cancer Care

Breast Screening Quiz – Answers
Answers to questions:

What is the current age range invited for breast screening?
The age range screened is currently 50 to 70 years old although some areas have already
piloted and rolled out the age extension.

Under the planned age extension for breast screening, what age range will be
screened?
The age extension of the breast screening programme has now started and full roll-out to
women aged 47-49 and 71-73 is expected to be completed after 2016.
True
Breast screening is free.
The NHS provides free breast screening for women between the ages of 50 and 70. For those over
70 it is still free but women need to make an appointment. The routine screening age has will be
extended to 47-73 over time, this has happened in some areas of England already.
A mammogram is an x-ray.
A mammogram is a low dose x-ray of the breast. At least two x-rays are taken of each breast.
Women over the age range invited are entitled to breast screening.
Risk of breast cancer increases with age so it is very important that women over the age range (70
or 73) request a regular screening appointment. They will not be called up for screening
automatically and will have to request this via their GP, practice nurse or by telephoning their local
screening unit.
Breast screening is a way of detecting breast cancer at a very early stage
Breast screening is a way to find small changes in the breast before there are any visible signs or
symptoms. Like all screening mammography is not perfect and some cancers will not be seen on
an x ray. Breast cancer can also occur in between appointments which is why it is important to be
breast aware in between mammogram appointments.
All screening staff working in static centres or mobile units are female
All staff that work with women having a mammogram in the static centres and on the mobile units
are female.
False
Your GP or practice nurse can carry out breast screening.
Breast screening takes place either in a mobile screening unit, which tours the area, or at your local
breast screening unit.
You are invited for breast screening every 2 years.
Women are invited for breast screening at 3 year intervals between the ages of 50 and 70.
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A mammogram protects against breast cancer.
A mammogram will not protect against breast cancer. It is an x-ray that shows signs of breast
cancer before they show to the human eye or touch. It is important that women are breast aware in
between mammogram appointments.
Women with small breasts can’t get screened.
Women of all shapes and sizes can have a mammogram. Men who are referred to a breast clinic
by their GP can have a mammogram.
You can’t have a mammogram if you have breast implants
You can still have a mammogram if you have implants. Women with implants are advised to let the
screening service know as it is recommended that they are screened in a static centre rather than a
mobile unit.
You have to ring to make an appointment for breast screening.
You will be sent an appointment location, time and date in the post. If this is not suitable you can
call and change the appointment time. Women over 70 (or 73) will need to contact their local
screening centre to make an appointment.
You don’t need an appointment; you just turn up when the screening van is in your area.
You cannot ‘drop in’ for a mammogram, women will receive a letter inviting them to an appointment.
Women over 70 (or 73) will need to make their own appointment with the screening service.
If you don’t accept an invitation for a mammogram you will not be invited again.
If you do not attend your screening appointment you will still be invited in 3 years when the
screening service targets your area.
Being called back for another mammogram means you have cancer.
Sometimes women are called back because of a technical fault. One in every 20 women who are
screened will be called back because the appearance on the x-ray suggests that more tests are
needed. Most of these women will not have any problems and will be called back again in 3 years
as part of their routine screening.
You need to fully undress to have a mammogram
You will be asked to remove your bra and clothes from the upper part of your body. You will be
given a gown to wear and this will only be removed when the x-ray is being taken.
Breast screening is available for men
Men are not routinely screened for breast cancer. If a man finds a breast change and is referred to
a breast clinic a mammogram can be used as part of his assessment.
If you have a disability you cannot get screened.
If you have a disability or mobility difficulties contact the local breast screening unit and they will
arrange a reasonable alternative; e.g. If you can’t get on to a mobile unit, they will arrange for a
mammogram in a static centre.
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