The South East (SE) Scotland Breast Screening Service is part of the National Breast Screening Programme. In Scotland, women between the ages of 50 and 70 are offered breast screening every 3 years.
The area that the SE Scotland breast screening service screens is South West and Central Fife, the Scottish Borders, Eastern Forth Valley, Edinburgh and the Lothians, and Biggar in South Lanarkshire. You may not receive your invitation until the age of 53 as each GP practice takes part in the screening programme every three years.
Routine breast screening is offered to women between the ages of 50 and 70 because:
– The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age.
– The test is most effective in women who’ve reached the menopause.
After the age of 70 breast cancer develops more slowly so over 70s are not routinely invited for screening but should remain breast aware and speak to their GP about any concerns. If you are over 70 you can self refer for screening by calling the breast screening service on 0131 537 7400.
Women under the age of 50 are not eligible for routine breast screening. However, if you are concerned because of a family history of breast cancer, or you have any symptoms, you should discuss this with your GP.
