Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust


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Information about Breast Screening and our Services

It aims to invite all women aged 50 - 70 years for breast screening once every three years. Nationally the programme screens 1.3 million women each year and diagnoses about 10,000 breast cancers annually.

The screening programme also offers women over 70 a free breast screen every three years. These women will not be sent an invitation but are encouraged to call the unit to make an appointment that suits them.

The aim of breast screening is to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, often before the woman is aware of any problem. Early detection may mean simpler and more successful treatment. Scientific evidence shows that regular breast screening, between the ages of 50 - 70 years, reduces the death rate from breast cancer.

The Breast Screening Team The NHS Breast Screening Programme saves an estimated 1400 lives each year in England.

Currently we invite more than 86,000 women from the region for breast screening. To enable women to be screened closer to home, breast screening is carried out at a number of sites across the region.  This may be in a hospital or clinic, or it may be in a mobile unit.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme is subject to monitoring by the Quality Assurance Reference Centre.(QARC). It ensures rigorous quality assurance standards are maintained.

NHS Choices guide to breast screening video wall
Follow the link below for a selection of videos that provide a guide to breast screening for anyone with a learning disability. They explain why it is necessary and what will happen when you go for your screening.

External Link View the NHS Choices Breast Screening Video Wall