Women aged from 50 up to their 70th birthday will receive a breast screening invitation in the post. We aim to invite women every three years.
You may not receive your first invitation when you are aged 50. We invite women based on when their doctor’s surgery is being screened. You will be invited for screening before your 53rd birthday.
Women aged 70 and over will not be invited for screening, but can contact Breast Test Wales and ask for an appointment.
People who are transgender or non-binary may be invited for breast screening. For more information read our information for people who are transgender and non-binary.
We do not screen women with breast symptoms. If you have noticed a change in your breast do not wait for your breast screening appointment. It is important that you speak to your doctor.
We do not screen women aged under 50 as the breast screening programme has only been shown to be of benefit for women over 50. If you have symptoms, or are worried about your family history, you should speak to your doctor.
Breast Test Wales gets your contact details held by your doctor. It is important that your doctor has your correct name and address, otherwise we may not be able to send your appointment letter to you. If you are not registered with a doctor, contact us to check if you can have breast screening.
You will need to let us know if you:
Some people may be invited for screening who do not need it. We may not know if you are already being treated for breast cancer, or are being followed up at a hospital breast clinic.
We may also send an invitation to some people who have had both breasts removed (bilateral mastectomy).
Contact us if you require an invitation for breast screening, or if you think that you should not have been invited.
It is your choice if you want to go for breast screening. Screening does not stop you from getting breast cancer, but it is the best way to stop cancers at an early stage.
You may decide you do not want screening this time, but are happy to be invited again in 3 years’ time. Please let us know.
If you decide you do not want any further invitations for screening, you can opt out. Please contact your nearest breast screening centre to find out how.
If you, or a person you support needs help to understand or read the information we sent, contact us before the appointment. We can provide you with information in different formats. For more information you may want to visit our Easy Read, BSL, Audio and Video pages.
If you, or a person you support needs extra help going for screening, contact us before your appointment if you:
If you need to bring someone with you to your appointment let us know. It may be better for you to have your appointment at a breast screening centre.
If you think you are eligible for help travelling to your appointment. You can contact Patient Transport Services at your local hospital. They may be able to help you.
As the cost of living is affecting many of us, it is important to know what help is available from the NHS.
While financial support for attending routine screening appointments is not provided under the Department of Health rules, some people who need to come back for further tests may be eligible for financial support.
The NHS ‘Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’ (HTCS) sets out clear guidance to people about when financial help can be provided. The scheme has a strict eligibility criteria. For those who are eligible, the scheme supports the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS funded treatment or diagnostic tests.
To check if you are eligible for financial support, visit the NHS ‘Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’ (HTCS) web pages for more information or contact us, if you have any further questions.
Visit our cost of living web pages for more information www.phw.nhs.wales/cost-of-living