Breast screening involves having two x-rays of each breast, called ‘mammograms’.
The mammograms will show if your breasts are healthy or if there are any signs of cancer.
In Northern Ireland, anyone aged 50 to 70 who is registered as female with a GP is automatically invited for breast screening (mammograms) every three years.
If you are eligible, you will receive your first invitation between the ages of 50 and 53.
If you live in the Northern Trust area, you will usually be invited to attend a mobile breast screening unit. Check your appointment letter carefully, for full details of the location.
If you are over 70, you will no longer receive routine invitations, but you can still have breast screening every three years by contacting the Breast Screening and Assessment Unit to arrange an appointment.
If you notice any unusual changes in your breasts, do not wait for a screening appointment. Contact your GP as soon as possible. They can refer you to a specialist breast clinic at Antrim Area Hospital if needed.
Northern Trust Breast Screening Timetable
Find out when and where breast screening clinics will be held across the Northern Trust area.
View the Northern Trust Breast Screening Timetable.
Before your appointment
You should contact your local breast screening service if you need to cancel or change your appointment.
Before your appointment, please let them know if you:
- have a learning disability or mobility problems and need additional support, such as a carer to come with you.
- need information in another format or language.
This will help your local screening service to make adjustments you may need. This could include having a longer appointment or going to a different location.
Our mobile screening units have a lift, so anyone who has difficulty using stairs or uses a wheelchair, can still attend their screening appointment.
You should also let your screening service know if you:
- have breast implants
- have a pacemaker or any other implanted medical device
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have had both breasts surgically removed (a mastectomy)
- are under the care of a breast consultant
- have had a mammogram in the last 6 months
At your appointment
A mammographer will take your mammograms. The mammographer will be female. They will explain what will happen at each stage and you can ask any questions you may have.
During breast screening, you’ll have 2 mammograms taken for each breast.
- You’ll be given privacy to undress to the waist.
- The mammographer will help to place your breast in the right position on the X-ray machine. They will need to touch your breast.
- The machine squeezes your breast to hold it in place. You will need to keep still. Some women find this uncomfortable or painful. Any discomfort should not last for long. You can ask to stop if you feel you cannot carry on.
- The mammographer will usually take 2 X-rays of each breast – one from above and one from the side. She will go behind a screen while the X-rays are taken.
Each mammogram only takes a few seconds. The appointment should take no longer than 30 minutes but is often quicker.
The radiographer can usually get clear images of your breasts at your first appointment.
Rarely, you may need another mammogram before getting your result. Sometimes technical problems mean that the mammogram is not clear enough to read. If this happens, you will be asked to have another mammogram to get a clearer picture of your breast.
Find out more from our videos, which explain the screening process.
Practical hints and tips on the day
You will need to undress to the waist, so you may prefer to wear clothing that makes this easier, such as trousers or a skirt and a top.
Please do not use deodorant or talcum powder on the day of the appointment as it could interfere with your result. If you can, please remove necklaces and nipple piercings before you arrive.
You can talk to the breast screening team if you are nervous or have any questions. You can also bring someone with you for support, such as a friend, relative or carer. They will usually need to stay in the waiting room during your appointment.
Breast screening for the LGBTQIA+ community
We are committed to making our services accessible, welcoming and inclusive for everyone. We know some people may face barriers when accessing healthcare, and we want to help reduce these wherever possible.
We have worked with Macmillan Cancer Support and The Rainbow Project to create a short “walkthrough” video explaining what happens at each step of the appointment and helps people know what to expect. It is designed to make cancer care more inclusive, particularly for LGBTQIA+ people, and to provide reassurance—especially for those attending breast screening for the first time.
Breast screening results
Useful resources
Breast screening – an overview (nidirect)
PHA: Overview of breast cancer screening programme
PHA: Cancer Screening Team resources
Prescreening checklist (PDF)
How to contact us
Northern Area Breast Screening and Assessment Unit
Level A, Antrim Area Hospital, 45 Bush Road, Antrim BT41 2RL
- Telephone: 028 9442 4425
- Email: breast.screening@northerntrust.hscni.net