NHS Breast Screening Programme.
Every effort is made to minimise women's anxiety at all stages of screening.
Invitation and recall letters are carefully worded and include a contact telephone number for women who have questions about breast screening. Less than ten per cent of women screened for the first time and less than seven per cent of those screened for a second or subsequent time should be recalled. From 2001, all women invited for breast screening will receive a leaflet explaining clearly the benefits and the limitations of breast screening so that they can make an informed choice about whether or not to accept an invitation. This initiative is part of the NHS Cancer Plan, published in September 2000. Any x-ray involves radiation but mammograms only require a very low dose.