Breast cancer awareness month 2026

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Written by: Paul Thomas

October is breast cancer awareness month, and North East London Cancer Alliance continues to raise awareness of breast screening and signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in England. In north east London last year, there were over 1,400 cases of breast cancer diagnosed.

The chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older. Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot a cancer that is too small to feel or see yourself – it saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK.

North East London has been running a campaign, called Put Yourself First, to encourage more women to attend breast screening. The Put Yourself First campaign is a reminder to make time for breast screening when invited. It is aimed at women aged 50 to 71 living in north east London, particularly in areas where attendance has been lower.

Anyone registered with a GP as female aged from 50 up to their 71st birthday will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years. You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you.

After 71, you will no longer be invited automatically, but you can still have NHS breast screening every three years. All women over the age of 70 will need to phone the hub on 020 3758 2024 to arrange their appointment.

Finding cancer early can make it more likely that treatment will be successful.

Breast screening can detect cancer long before you can even feel it. Or more likely, put your mind at rest.

So when you're invited, save the date, it could save your life. Search ‘NHS breast screening’ to find out more.

Breast screening is for people without any symptoms and it’s vital to attend. If you have any symptoms you are worried about, don’t delay and contact your GP as soon as possible.

Make sure you check your breasts regularly at home. There is no special way to check your breasts and you do not need to follow a particular routine. The important thing is to know what is normal for you. Things to look out for include:

  • a lump or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit

  • a change in the skin of your breast, such as dimpling (it may look like orange peel) or redness, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin

  • a change in size or shape of one or both breasts, or either side of your chest – it's common for breasts to be different sizes, but check for any changes that are not normal for you

  • nipple discharge (if you're not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it

  • a change in the shape or look of your nipple, such as it turning inwards (inverted nipple) or a rash appearing on it (it may look like eczema)

  • sores or ulcers on your chest

You may get pain in your breast or armpit with these symptoms. But you can have these symptoms without any pain. Breast pain by itself is not usually a symptom of breast cancer.

If you have any of the symptoms above, please contact your GP as soon as possible.

More information

What is breast screening?

  • Breast screening uses X-rays called mammograms to check your breasts for signs of cancer.

  • It's done by female health specialists called mammographers.

  • Breast screening services are more accessible than ever. As well as hospitals, mobile screening vans are available in convenient community locations, such as supermarket car parks.

 Why is breast screening offered?

  • Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in England. The chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older.

  • Regular breast screening is one of the best ways to spot a cancer that is too small to feel or see yourself.

  • Breast screening saves around 1,300 lives each year in the UK. Finding cancer early can make it more likely that treatment will be successful.

  • When diagnosed at the earliest stage, 98% of women survive their breast cancer for 5 years or more.

Who’s invited for breast screening?

  • Anyone registered with a GP as female aged from 50 up to their 71st birthday will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years. You'll get a letter in the post inviting you.

  • You'll automatically get your first invite for breast screening between the ages of 50 and 53. Then you'll be invited every 3 years until you turn 71.

  • You need to be registered with a GP practice to be invited for breast screening.

  • If you have not been invited for breast screening by the time you are 53 and think you should have been, contact your local breast screening service. Find your local breast screening service.

  • If you have been invited for breast screening but missed or did not book an appointment you can still contact your local NHS breast screening service to arrange one, even if you were invited weeks, months or years ago. Find your local breast screening service.

What happens at your breast screening appointment?

  • Before starting, the mammographer will check your details with you and ask if you have had any breast problems. You can talk to her about any concerns you have – she will do everything she can to make the experience as comfortable as possible for you. They will also explain what will happen during the screening and answer any questions.

  • To have a mammogram, you need to undress to the waist. So it may be easier to wear a skirt or trousers instead of a dress.

  • During breast screening you'll have 4 breast X-rays (mammograms), 2 for each breast.

  • Screening can be uncomfortable for some women, but this usually passes quickly

  • The mammograms only take a few minutes. The whole appointment should take about 30 minutes.

  • Your breast screening results will be posted to you, usually within 2 weeks of your appointment.

  • Even if your breast screening shows no sign of breast cancer, it's important to check your breasts between mammograms and contact your GP practice if you notice any changes. Find out how to check

Find out more

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