NHS Scotland breast screening services - when did you get called?

[bathshebaneverdene]

Discussion with friends suggests women are called for breast screening when they reach 50. I'm coming up to 52 and have not received an invitation to attend a clinic.

Did everyone receive their invitations at 50?

[prettybird]

Ime, it's a 3(?) year cycle, so if you just miss the call, you can be nearly 53 when you first get the call. That's what happened to me at least.

Unlike the bowel screening, when you get the letter through the post shortly before your birthday to remind you that the Big 5 Oh is coming up

[tribpot]

Here's the leaflet on breast screening for healthcare professionals (PDF Link) which says "When women receive their appointment will depend on which GP practice they are registered with. This may mean that women are invited at different times to other women their age but all women should be invited before turning 53", as prettybird says.

[bathshebaneverdene]

Thank you - will leave it until 53 then.

Prettybird, yes, the joys of the bowel screening kit!

[AuldHeathen]

I wasn't called routinely til I reached 52. It's because the cycle is 3 years and you might have just missed the call before you turn 50. In fact that was what happened here - the mobile truck was in our cottage hospital car park just before I was 50th. I must have been on the next list. If you have any concerns you can be called earlier via your GP.

[DanyellasDonkey]

Yes it's over 50 but the van only calls in our area every 3/4 years so it can be a varying length of time between visits. In my town apparently there were 15 people picked up, so well worth doing.