Breast Screening Posted or Updated on 10 Apr 2025

NHS England is launching a new phase of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign to encourage women living in England to attend their breast screening appointment when invited.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in England and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with the risk increasing as age advances. Regular breast screening is one of the most effective methods for detecting cancer that is too small to be felt or seen, saving approximately 1,300 lives each year in the UK.

Finding cancer early can make it more likely that treatment will be successful. When diagnosed at the earliest stage, 98% of women survive their breast cancer for 5-years or more.

Increasing the number of women who take up their invitation to attend breast screening, particularly their first invitation, and reducing inequalities in uptake, is crucial to increase early diagnosis of breast cancer.

The campaign is targeting women aged between 50 and 71 as the NHS breast screening programme invites anyone registered with a GP as female aged from 50 up to their 71st birthday for NHS breast screening every 3 years. Women will automatically get their first invite in the post for breast screening between the ages of 50-53

Taking your bra off at the end of the day feels great. And so does getting your breast screening sorted. It can detect cancer long before you can even feel it. Or more likely, put your mind at rest. So, when you're invited, save the date; it could save your life.

Search ‘NHS breast screening’ to find out more.

If you have been invited for breast screening but missed or did not book an appointment you can still contact your local NHS breast screening service HERE to arrange one, even if you were invited weeks, months or years ago. 

For more information please visit the Breast screening section of our website here.