There are around 90 breast screening units across the UK. All women registered with a GP will receive their first invitation to attend for a mammogram some time between their 50th and 53rd birthdays. Invitations are then sent every three years until a woman reaches her 71st birthday (65th birthday in Northern Ireland). If you have not received an invitation, your GP can arrange for one to be sent to you. If you have any worrying breast symptoms while waiting for a breast screening appointment, contact your GP, who can refer you to the breast clinic if necessary.

When you are sent your invitation from your local breast screening unit, you will be given a date, time and place to attend. There are specialised screening units across the country, which can either be mobile (like a large van), hospital-based, or permanently based in a convenient place such as a shopping centre. If the appointment is inconvenient for you, you can telephone the breast screening unit and they will arrange an alternative appointment. The phone number for the breast screening unit will be on the letter.

A visit to a breast screening unit usually takes about half an hour. You will be met and welcomed by a receptionist or a female radiographer who will check your personal details (name, age and address). The radiographer will ask you some questions about your general health and whether you have had any previous breast problems.

The radiographer will explain how the mammograms are taken, and can answer any questions that you have about breast screening. If you are happy to go ahead, you will then go into the mammography room to have your mammogram.