Download Section 1 - Breast Test Wales

Section 1
What is a Breast Test
and
Why do we go?
Version 5 – October 2013
Who goes for this test?
• All women between
the age of 50 and 70
are invited
• Invitation letters are
sent out every three
years
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What happens if I am over 70?
• If you are over 70
you can still come for
breast screening.
• You can ring Breast
Test Wales and ask
for an appointment
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Why is it important to go for a
breast test?
• Breast cancer can affect
any woman but is more
common in a woman over
50
• The test looks for cancer
• If we find breast cancer
early, treatment has the
best chance of working
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What is the test called?
• The test is called a
Mammogram
• The test looks for breast
cancer before symptoms show
• An X-ray of your breast is
taken
• One breast will be X-rayed
first, then the other
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What is Cancer?
• Cancer is a very serious illness which could get
worse if not treated
• There are different types of cancer
• Some people who get cancer die
• Lots of people who get breast cancer get better
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Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer is the
most common type of
cancer found in women
• Some breast cancers can
spread to other parts of
the body
• The best way of testing
for breast cancer is by
having a regular breast
test
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Source: Cancer Research UK
What is an X-ray?
• It is like a photograph
• It shows doctors what
is happening inside
your breast
• It shows them things
that you may not be
able to see or feel
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Will the test hurt?
• You may find the test
uncomfortable
• It may hurt for a short
time
• Your breast may be a
little bit red or sore
after the X-ray
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