Current national guidelines recommend a routine mammogram at least every two years after treatment for an early breast cancer. This it to make sure there is no sign of the cancer coming back or a new cancer developing.

Having a mammogram does involve a small dose of radiation to the breasts.There is a theoretical risk that radiation could cause a cancer to develop. This risk has been estimated in women who have not previously had a breast cancer (that is, those women who attend for routine breast screening) and it is thought that for every 100,000 women who have mammography it is possible that 1 cancer may be caused by the radiation.

Given the benefits of early detection of breast cancer which mammography offers this very tiny cancer risk is thought to be acceptable.

In your own situation, having previously had a breast cancer, your chances of developing further problems are somewhat greater than women in the general population, with no history of breast cancer, and so mammography is even more worthwhile for you. Certainly you should not be worried by the thought of any cancer risk from the x-rays and should go ahead with the check-ups that have been advised.