Regular breast screening can find breast cancer before you notice any signs or symptoms.

Breast screening saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.

Screening can help to find breast cancers early when they are too small to see or feel. These tiny breast cancers are usually easier to treat than larger ones. It is important to remember that screening will not prevent you from getting breast cancer but aims to find early breast cancers.

Breast screening involves x-raying and checking them for changes. This is done by female health professionals only.

You'll have the test at your nearest breast screening centre, or mobile screening unit. 

Your mammographer will X-ray one breast at a time. To do this she'll:

• position your breast between 2 special plates on the mammogram machine
• press the breast firmly between the plates for a few seconds
• take 2 pictures of each breast — you should stay as still as possible while she takes the pictures

A mammogram only takes a few minutes.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and mostly affects women over 50, however younger women and men can get it too.

If it's treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is treated using a combination of treatments. 

Common symptoms can include:

• a lump or area of thickened tissue
• a change in the size or shape
• discharge from nipples
• a lump or swelling in armpits
• dimpling on the skin of your breasts
• a rash on or around your nipple
• a change in the appearance nipples

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. This is why regular self-breast exams are so important. 

Doing breast self-examinations allow you to become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel. This can help you notice any changes and get medical advice as early as possible. 

If you are worried about how something feels, or would like advice, please bok an appointment with one of our female clinicians below, who will carry out a breast examination for you. 

If you are worried about any of the symptoms below, please make an appointment with one of our female clinicians opposite for a breast exam. 

• a lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
• a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
• discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)

Most breast lumps (90%) aren't cancerous, but it's always best to have them checked by a medical professional.

In Scotland, breast screening is routinely offered to those who:

• are female 
• are between 50 and 70 years old
• have not had breast screening in the last 3 years

Please note that not every woman will receive an appointment as soon as she is 50. However, they will receive their first appointment before their 53rd birthday. By registering at Bangholm Medical Centre, you will be automatically enrolled into the service and will receive an invitation for an appointment through the post in due course.

If for whatever reason you have not been contacted and it has been more than three years since your last screening appointment, please contact the screening service using the number or email below.

0131 537 7400 or SES.BreastScreening@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk