In the United Kingdom, a mammographic screening programme is available on the background of several trials demonstrating a significant reduction in mortality for those women who have received mammographic screening. There is a drive for educating women on self-assessment. Genetic screening may be considered in those patients with a known family history. MRI imaging is currently being investigated as a form of screening but there are no standard imaging modalities comparable to standard x-ray mammography available at present.
In general, the mammographic UK screening programme offers three yearly assessments for women aged 50-64. It is predicted that 70% of all new cancers will be detected at this stage that are impalpable or small. For specific patients the interval screening programme may be reduced.
