North Yorkshire Breast Screening Service - how to book and what you need to know
What is breast screening
Breast screening uses a mammogram (breast x-ray) to look for early signs of breast cancer, often before any signs of symptoms are visible. It can find changes that are too small to feel. Around one life is saved for every 200 women screened.
Why is breast screening important?
Breast screening aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before any signs or symptoms are visible. Screening saves approximately one life from breast cancer for every 200 women who are screened.
To help you decide, here is the link to information on the possible benefits and risks of breast screening.
If you are concerned about your breasts, you should contact your GP as soon as possible, do not wait for your routine breast screening appointment. The GP can refer you to the symptomatic services, also based at The Magnolia Centre in York Hospital.
An NHS symptomatic service is a specialist clinic for patients who have developed new symptoms, such as a lump, pain, or discharge, and are referred by a GP for investigation. These services are often part of a two week wait, meaning the patient should be seen by a specialist within two weeks of the referral to ensure urgent conditions like breast cancer are diagnosed and treated quickly. While the most common is the breast symptomatic service, the term can apply to any service that investigates new symptoms of a specific condition.
Who is invited - and how to get a screening
Breast screening is by appointment only. If you are registered with your GP as female, you will receive your first invitation within three years of turning 50. Invitations for screening are sent automatically to women up until their 71st birthday.
Women aged over 71 are still entitled to a breast screening appointment every three years. These women will not be sent an invitation but are encouraged to contact the Breast Screening Unit.
If you are non-binary, a trans woman or trans man and not registered as female on the system, you won't be automatically invited. You can request screening through your GP practice. They would then refer you to the breast clinic.
More information is available here:
If you have symptoms
If you notice a change in your breasts, contact your GP as soon as possible. Do not wait for your routine screening appointment.
Symptoms may include:
- Changes to size or shape
- Lumps or thickening
- Nipple changes
- Discharge
- Pain that is unusual for you
Most changes are not cancer, but it is important to get checked.
How to book your screening appointment
Screening is by appointment only. Please book before attending, as the team does not offer walk in appointments.
For advice, or to discuss an appointment, please contact the North Yorkshire Breast Screening Service:
- Telephone: 01904 725 590 or 01904 725 591
- Email: yhs-tr.northyorkshire.breastscreeningservice@nhs.net
- The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm.
If you have accessibility needs, please mention this when booking.
The breast screening service is run by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, but they provide advice and screening to the whole county.
Where screenings take place
The Magnolia Centre at York Hospital is the base for the North Yorkshire breast screening service. Screening mammograms take place at York and Scarborough hospitals, as well as at three mobile mammography units. These units rotate through more than 20 locations across North Yorkshire, helping to make screening as local as possible.
See a map of current locations and mobile sites on the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust website.
What to expect
A screening appointment usually lasts around 20 minutes. A trained mammographer will take two X ray images of each breast. You may feel some pressure, but it should not last long.
You can wear your usual clothes but a two piece outfit may be easier.
You should not wear spray on deodorant or talcum powder to your appointment as they can sometimes appear on the x ray images.
You can bring someone for support if you wish. The team will explain each step.
After your screening
Your results are usually sent by letter within two weeks. Most people are told everything looks normal and are invited again in three years.
If the results show any changes, you may be invited for more tests. This does not mean you have cancer. Many follow up tests show no serious problems.
Second stage screening appointments will always be booked at the Magnolia Centre at York Hospital.
Missing an invitation
If you think you should have been invited, or have moved recently, contact the North Yorkshire Breast Screening Service.
Phone 01904 725590 or 01904 725 591
Where to go for support
To help you decide, follow the link to information on the possible benefits and risks of breast screening.
NHS breast screening: helping you decide
Some useful websites and places for support:
