Breast screening - Why is screening important?

Screening does not stop you getting breast cancer. It finds breast cancer at an early stage when it is too small to see or feel. At this size, it is usually easier to treat. You’re also less likely to need chemotherapy or to have your breast removed if breast cancer is detected at an early stage.

Because cancer is diagnosed and treated earlier than it would have been without screening, this saves lives. Screening saves about 1,300 lives from breast cancer each year in the UK.

As with all procedures, there is an element of risk involved. You can find more detailed information about the screening programme on GOV.UK.