31st December 2024

Breast cancer screening

National screening programme

In the UK, people registered as female and trans men without a prior history of breast cancer are invited for three-yearly mammograms between ages 50-70, after which they may opt in to ongoing screening. In the rest of this section, we will refer to ‘women’ for simplicity, but the information also applies to trans men.

Breast cancer screening in those with previous breast cancer

According to NICE, women who have been successfully treated for breast cancer, with no known genetic risk factor, should have annual mammograms for five years following treatment.

However, women who have been successfully treated for breast cancer but are at high risk for further breast cancer (e.g. a positive family history or a known genetic mutation) should have more frequent screening:

• Ages 30-49 (or aged 30 to 59 with a TP53 mutation): annual MRI scans
• Ages 50-69: annual mammograms

Breast cancer screening in those who have risk factors

Women who have not had breast cancer but are at high risk due to a strong family history or known genetic mutation should have regular surveillance. In general, younger women are offered breast MRIs in preference to mammograms as breast tissue is usually denser.

NICE advises the following:

• TP53 mutation (known, or at high risk of): annual MRI between ages 20-69. Note that TP53 mutation is the only risk factor that makes women eligible for surveillance under age 30.
• BRCA mutation: annual MRI ± mammogram between ages 30-59, then three-yearly mammograms as part of the national screening programme.
• High risk for another reason, e.g. family history: annual MRI ± mammogram between ages 40-59, then three-yearly mammograms as part of the national screening programme. May additionally be considered for surveillance between ages 30-39 on a case-by-case basis.