Routine breast screening

The NHS breast screening programme provides free breast screening for all women in the UK aged 50 and over. Around one-and-a-half million women are screened in the UK each year. All women aged 50 to 70 automatically receive an invitation to routine screening (an x-ray examination) every three years.

The unit invites women registered with their NHS GP by rotating through the practices in its catchment area on a three-yearly cycle. This means that your first invitation for breast screening will fall between your 49th and 53rd birthdays, at a time when your practice is being screened.

Download the dates and locations of the next round of screening  |for GP surgeries in the Southampton and Salisbury screening rounds.

Once women reach the upper age range, they are encouraged to continue routine three-yearly screening. Women over the age of 70 may contact the unit| to refer themselves for an appointment.

Mobile screening appointments

You will be sent an invitation to be screened at one of our mobile units. The information will include a date and time for your appointment and directions to the unit in your area. If you cannot attend or wish to change your appointment please phone and let us know|.

As we are not always able to offer the same site for subsequent screening invitations, please check the appointment details in your letter carefully.

If you have a disability| or breast implants| and receive an invitation for mobile screening, please contact us|, as you will need to come to the Princess Anne Hospital instead.

Information in other languages

If you or someone you know would to read about breast screening in other languages, download 'Breast Screening: The Facts' in other languages|.