Breast screening
Breast Screening
New bookings tel: 01803 654152
Change booking tel: 01803 655350
Email: Breast Screening
Breast screening uses a breast x-ray, called a mammogram, to look for cancer that may be too small to see or feel.
The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be. Screening can pick up breast cancer before there are any signs or symptoms.
If you are registered at your GP as a female and aged between 50 and 70 and 11 months, you’ll be automatically invited for breast screening through your GP practice every three years. If you are not registered with a GP Practice and would like advice about receiving breast screening please contact us on 01803 655350 or email Breast Screening.
For information about screening for trans and non-binary people please visit GOV.UK – information for trans and non-binary people
You will normally be invited for your first mammogram between your 50th and 53rd birthdays. If you would like to know when you will be invited please feel free to contact us.
Some trans or non-binary people can access breast screening. You need to be registered as female with your GP to be automatically invited for screening. Talk to your GP or gender identity clinic for more information.
If you are over 71 you will no longer be routinely invited for breast screening but you are entitled to refer yourself every three years by contacting the breast screening programme on 01803 655350 or email Breast Screening.
Having screening mammograms does not in itself prevent cancer but does seek to find cancers at an early and more easily treatable stage, when they are too small to see or feel.
It is possible to develop breast cancer in between the 3-yearly screening mammograms and it is important to continue to be breast aware and report any changes to your GP even if you have had a mammogram recently.
If you have any concerns about unusual changes to your breasts, please speak with your GP as soon as possible. They will be able to refer you to a one-stop clinic if necessary.
If you would like to read our information leaflet about breast screening it is available online at: www.gov.uk/phe/breast-screening-leaflet
At the mobile unit we offer appointments between 8.45am and 4.25pm on weekdays. In our main unit at the hospital we offer appointments between 8.50am and 4.30pm on weekdays, however please note that these clinics may not be every weekday.
Before attending your breast screening appointment please do not use a spray deodorant or talcum powder as this may show up on your mammogram. You can use roll-on deodorant.
We have parking available outside the Breast Care Unit, which is specifically allocated to us. These spaces are free of charge and include provision for disabled parking.
Mobile Breast Screening Unit
Our unit is currently situated in the car park of Morrisons, Newfoundland Road, Teignmouth TQ14 9WP, and will remain there until late March / early April 2024. After this the unit will be moving to the Dawlish area.
Do The Test – Go For It!
Some people have difficulty deciding whether to come for breast screening. Here is a video made by and for women with learning disabilities. Whether you live with a learning disability or not, the information can be helpful for making your decision.