About breast screening - Your breast screening appointment

This short video helps people understand what breast screening is and why it is important. It guides you through the screening journey, showing how a breast X-ray (mammogram) is taken and tells you about the range of support that is available.

Where will I be screened?

You will be invited to attend screening at one of the mobile screening units or at a screening centre. Your invitation letter will tell you where you will be screened. Where you are invited to attend will depend on which doctors’ surgery you are registered with.

Changing my appointment

Breast screening appointments are limited. Let us know if you are not planning to attend; we can offer your appointment to someone else.

If you need a longer appointment, contact us to discuss how we can support you.

If you missed your breast screening appointment you contact us to arrange a new appointment. It is important that you do not wait for three years until you are invited again.

Preparing for my appointment

Before your appointment:

Read the information we sent you.
Contact us if you need support at your appointment.
Make sure you know where your appointment is.
Plan how you will get there, allowing enough time for travel.
Be aware you may need to pay for parking at some of the screening locations.
Allow at least 30 minutes for your appointment.
It is a good idea to wear trousers or a skirt and top, rather than a dress, as you will be asked to undress from the waist up.
Before your appointment, please do not use a spray deodorant or talcum powder, as this may show up on your breast x-ray. You can use roll-on deodorant.

Contact us before coming for your appointment, if you:

have a physical disability or finding steps difficult, so suitable arrangements can be made
have had a breast x-ray within the last 6 months, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, as you may be advised to delay breast screening
have recently been diagnosed with, or are having treatment for breast cancer
may not be able to consent to breast screening
have a carer with lasting power of attorney for your health and welfare
have communication or translation needs, or
are transgender and would like to discuss your appointment

Keeping you safe at your appointment

To keep everyone safe at their appointment the following measures are in place:

Healthcare staff follow infection and prevention control guidance. This means they follow strict hand cleaning routines and clean all clinic areas and equipment regularly.
Hand sanitizer is available.
Attend your appointment on time. If you arrive early you may have to wait. If you are late, we may not be able to screen you.
If you need an interpreter, will attend with a carer or need support at your appointment, please contact us before your appointment to discuss this.

Remember, to stop the spread of infection, do not attend for screening if you are unwell.

Arriving at your appointment

Attend your appointment on time. If you arrive early you may have to wait. If you are late, we may not be able to screen you.

Due to the size of the mobile unit, we ask that you attend your appointment on your own. If you need support during your appointment, contact us before you attend.

We will not be able to do the screening test if you bring children with you. This is due to health and safety reasons.

Please note there are no toilet facilities on the mobile unit.

About the test

When you arrive at the breast screening unit, the staff will check your details and ask about any breast problems you have had. If you have any questions, please ask.

Breast x-rays are carried out by female staff called Radiographers or Assistant Practitioners. They will explain what will happen. You will be asked to change in the x-ray room or a private changing cubicle. You will need to remove your bra and if in a changing cubicle keep your top clothing on until you enter the x-ray room. It may be easier to wear a skirt or trousers instead of a dress.

When you are called for your breast x-ray, the member of staff taking the tests will place your breast onto the x-ray machine. A plastic plate will be lowered to flatten the breast. This is very important as it helps to keep your breast still and get clear x-rays. At least two x-rays of each breast will be taken.

The test will only take a few minutes. Everyone is different; some people may find the test uncomfortable or painful. This usually passes quickly. Tell the member of staff taking the test if you want the test to stop at any time.

If you have breast implants or injectable fillers, you will be given an information leaflet to read as these can make screening more difficult.

If you have any questions you can ask a member of screening staff.

If the member of staff is unable to complete your breast x-ray, you may still receive a result on the areas they have x-rayed.

Will the procedure hurt?

We need to press your breasts between the two plates to produce good quality mammograms at a low radiation dose. The pressure will only last for a few seconds. If you do experience pain, it usually only lasts for as long as the procedure takes. In a very small number of women, it may last longer.

You may be asked if you want to take part in a clinical trial

These are medical research studies. Any trial you are offered will gather information about the best types of breast cancer tests or treatments so we can help women more effectively in the future. You can choose whether to take part or not.

Page last reviewed: 28th January 2026