Breast screening

The NHS offers breast screening to save lives from breast cancer.

Screening does this by finding breast cancers at an early stage, when they are too small to see or feel.  Breast screening uses an x-ray test called a mammogram to check the breast for signs of cancer.

The scan is quick and simple and early detection of cancer may often mean simpler and more successful treatment.

Women aged 50 up to their 71st birthday are invited to have breast screening every three years. 

During the restoration of services following the initial coronavirus outbreak, NHS breast screening services temporarily paused taking self-referrals from women aged 71 and over. After further review, Public Health England have now advised that we can now accept self-referrals for women aged 71 and over. However, due to COVID-19 we are currently prioritising women aged 53 who have not had a first breast screening invitation.

The date of your mammogram depends on the GP you are registered with, not the date of your birthday. Find out more at www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/

Brighton, Hove and East Sussex breast screening service is open to 110,000 women across the county.

Screening locations

We have three mobile screening units that offer appointments at the following nine locations:

• Lewes  – Victoria Hospital, Nevill Road, Lewes, BN7 1PF
• Newhaven – Newhaven Rehabilitation Clinic, BN9 9HH
• Eastbourne – Eastbourne Train Station, BN21 3QJ
• Seaford – Seaford Medical Practice, Dane Road, BN25 1DH
• Bexhill – Freedom Leisure Centre, TN39 4HS
• Hastings – The Conquest Hospital, TN37 7RD
• Heathfield – Community Centre, TN21 0XG
• Uckfield – Uckfield Hospital, TN22 5AW
• Crowborough  – Crowborough Hospital, TN6 1HB

Breast Screening is also carried out in The Park Centre for Breast Care for women in the Brighton area

Screening results

Every mammogram is examined by two specialist film readers, with a radiologist and film reader brought in if they do not agree on the results.

There are three possible results at this stage:

• Normal: No abnormalities were seen and you will be routinely recalled in three years’ time if aged under 71.
• Recall for assessment: The film readers have identified an area of concern or change in the mammograms and further tests are required. You will be invited to attend the Park Centre for Breast Care within three weeks of the original mammogram.
• Technical recall: For technical reasons, some images need to be repeated before they can be reported as ‘normal’ or ‘recall for assessment’.

You will be invited to return to either the mobile unit or The Park Centre for Breast Care in Brighton The images will then be reported in the normal manner. 

Breast screening is a well woman service and approximately 95% of women who attend will get a normal result.

Approximately 5% are called back to The Park Centre for Breast Care for further assessment. For every five women recalled, four will receive a normal result.

Your choice

It is your choice whether or not you have breast screening.

If you have any questions about what breast screening involves, please call us.

If you would like to talk to someone about whether to have breast screening, your GP can help. Together, you can weigh up the possible benefits and risks, to help you decide.

Contact details