This October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a timely moment to ask: how can awareness become action?
It's all about being proactive, so do ensure you check your chest regularly. Another option is to consider an early mammogram screening to diagnose and treat cancer at their earliest stages, as NHS screening only starts at age 50.
Private healthcare provider Scan is one of the UK's few breast imaging providers, offering mammograms at age 40 — without the need for a GP referral.
Learn how to get earlier access to a mammogram
How to check your chest
It's important to make check your breasts or chest about once a month. This way you'll learn what looks and feels normal to you, and it should make it easier to spot any changes in the process.
What are you looking for?
- Noticeable breast changes such as dimpling or thickening of the breast tissue
- A lump
- A change in size or shape of your breasts or nipples
- A rash or redness
- Any fluid or discharge from the nipples
For further details, we'd recommend reading the NHS guidance and watching this easy-to-follow video explainer.
Why an early mammogram screening is worth considering
In 2024 the U.S Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its guidance, recommending biennial mammograms from age 40. According to their modelling, doing so could reduce breast cancer deaths by 20% by diagnosing and treating cancers at their earliest stages.
The NHS only offers regular breast cancer screening from the age of 50 (earlier if you think you've found a sign of breast cancer).
Going private with providers like Scan mean you get ahead of the curve in these key ways:
- Opportunity to spot aggressive cancers earlier
- Better treatment opportunities
- Reduced risk of death from breast cancer if caught early
Find out how to book a scan
When should I not have a breast screening?
If you're experiencing any of the symptoms below, book an appointment with a GP urgently and don't wait for a screening:
- Noticeable breast changes such as dimpling or thickening of the breast tissue
- a lump
- a change in size or shape of your breasts or nipples
- a rash or redness
- any fluid or discharge from the nipples
These issues might not necessarily mean anything serious, but it's important to check nonetheless.
Let's do some myth busting...
Are mammograms painful?
For many it's not painful, but some discomfort is normal. Read more here.
Isn't there a chance of overdiagnosis?
While overdiagnosis is a consideration, the evidence suggests the benefits of early detection outweigh the risks. Find out more about the process here.
Are mammograms safe?
Women aged 40-49 in the UK can have a mammogram every 12 months. Click here for further detail.
