Breast Cancer is a serious illness. The Danish Health Authorities recommend participation in the national breast cancer screening programme but it is important that you make your own choice.

Benefits of breast cancer screening

Regular participation in breast cancer screening improves the chance of early detection of breast cancer. Detecting breast cancer in its early stages:

• increases the probability of effective treatment and survival
• improves the prospects of lenient treatment options 

Disadvantages of breast cancer screening

Regular participation in breast cancer screening increases the risk of:

• Detecting and treating initial stages of breast cancer that would otherwise never have developed further causing unnecessary anxiety and risk of complications
• Experiencing a false sense of security since breast cancer is not always visible on x-rays or can develop between screening examinations
• Experiencing anxiety while waiting for screening results

Some women feel uncomfortable or experience pain while the breasts are compressed during the screening examination.

Screening for breast cancer is a national programme for women aged 50 to 69 years. Women in this age group are invited to participate every second year. Participation is voluntary. The first invitation is send within three months after a woman reaches the age of 50. The last invitation is send when the woman is 68 or 69 years. Women aged 50 and 69 years that are diagnosed with breast cancer continues to be invited in the screening programme.

Other target groups

Screening for breast cancer is also offered to the following populations:

• Women aged 70 to 79 years with a former diagnosis of breast cancer.
• Women aged 70 or above carrying the BRCA gene and therefore predisposed to breast cancer

Contact the Department of Public Health Programmes if you belong to these populations and would like an invitation or need further information.

In some instances, women referred to mammography by their general practitioner based on symptoms from the breast can be examined in a screening unit. It is the department receiving the referral that decide where the examination can take place. General practitioners cannot refer a woman directly to a screening unit.

Absence and withdrawal

In the event of failure to appear at the screening examination a reminder will be send to the woman in question. The reminder urges her to contact the Department of Public Health Programmes in order to schedule a new appointment. If she fails to do so, a new invitation will be send after approximately two years unless she has then reached the age of 70.

If a woman want to permanently withdraw from the screening programme she can do so here: Link to rescheduling module or by contacting the Department of Public Health Programmes: Link to contact information

Screening for breast cancer consists of x-rays of the breasts (mammography). During the examination, your breasts will be placed onto the X-ray machine one at a time. The breast will be squeezed between two pieces of plastic to keep it still while the X-rays are taken. Two x-rays are normally taken of each breast and the examination takes approximately 5-10 minutes.

There is not a medical doctor present during the examination and no consultation or further examination is offered. It is possible to be attended by a friend or a relation.

The examination is voluntary and no financial support is offered as transport allowance.

After the screening examination

After the screening examination the x-rays are evaluated by two independent radiologists.

If the x-rays show possible signs of breast cancer, the woman in question will be summoned to additional examinations (clinical mammography) within 14 days from the x-ray evaluation.

The result of breast cancer screening will be send to the woman and her general practitioner digitally within one to ten weekdays after the examination. If the woman does not want her general practitioner to receive the results, she must state so during the screening examination.

Note, that screening results are less reliable in some women with pacemaker or breast implants

A negative screening result

The results are negative if the x-rays show no signs of breast cancer. If that is the case, the woman in question will be invited to screening for breast cancer again after approximately two years unless she has reached the age of 70.

A positive screening result

The results are positive if the x-rays show possible signs of breast cancer. If that is the case, the woman in question will be summoned to additional examinations (clinical mammography) within 14 days from the x-ray evaluation.

Re-examination due to technical issues

If the x-rays cannot be evaluated due to technical issues, the woman in question will be summoned to a new screening examination (mammography).

If the screening examination shows possible signs of breast cancer the woman in question will be summoned to additional examinations (clinical mammography).

In Central Denmark Region the additional examinations are carried out at the Viborg Regional Hospital or Aarhus University Hospital. The examination takes approximately 60 minutes. It is possible to be attended by a friend or a relation.

A clinical mammography often consists of the following examinations:

• Examination of the breasts by a medical doctor
• X-rays of the breasts
• Ultra sound examination of the breasts with or without tissue sampling (biopsy)

Results of the additional examinations

If the additional examination disprove the presence of breast cancer will be invited to screening for breast cancer again after approximately two years unless she has reached the age of 70. 

If the additional examinations support a cancer diagnosis the woman in question will be summoned for further examination and treatment.

 

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a serious malignant illness. In Denmark approximately 4,700 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. One out of ten women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their life course.

Early detection of breast cancer increases the probability of effective treatment and survival. Symptoms of breast cancer includes:

• A palpable node in the breast
• A change in the shape of the breast, the skin or the nipple
• Discharge of fluid or blood from the breast
• Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit

You should always contact your general practitioner if you experience any symptoms from your breasts. This also applies if you follow the screening programme for breast cancer regularly.

What is screening for breast cancer and how is it carried out?

Screening for breast cancer is a national programme for women aged 50 to 69 years. Women in this age group are invited to participate every second year.

Screening for breast cancer is voluntary and targets women without symptoms of breast cancer. The purpose is to detect breast cancer early to improve the prospect of lenient treatment options and increase the probability of survival. Screening does not eliminate the risk of having or developing breast cancer.

A screening examination for breast cancer includes x-rays from each breast. In most cases, no signs of breast cancer are found. Even when the results are consistent with breast cancer, additional examinations are needed to confirm or dismiss breast cancer.

How do I participate, reschedule or withdraw from the breast cancer screening programme?

All women aged 50 to 69 years residing in Central Denmark Region are invited every second year to screening for breast cancer unless they have actively withdrawn from the programme.

You will receive your first invitation digitally within three months after you reach the age of 50.

You will receive your last invitation when you are 68 or 69 years old.

A specific examination time and screening unit is included in the invitation.

You can always change your appointment, permanently withdraw from the programme using this link: Link to rescheduling module or by contacting the Department of Public Health Programmes: Link to contact information

If you have withdrawn from the programme you can always re-enter by contacting the Department of Public Health Programmes.

Can I participate in the screening programme for breast cancer if:

 

• I have breast implants?

YES! But the screening examination results can be less reliable

• I have a pacemaker implant or other foreign objects in the breast region?

YES! But the screening examination results can be less reliable

• I have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer?

YES! Women between 50 and 69 years that have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer continues to be invited in the screening programme. Women between 70 and 79 years that have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer can continue in the programme if they wish to do so.

• I have a mental or physical handicap?

YES in most cases! All five screening units in Central Denmark Region I accessible for people in wheel chairs. The X-ray machines can be adjusted in height. Women with special needs can be given extra time for the examination by contacting the Department of Public Health Programmes: Link to contact information

• I have had a sex change?

YES! The invitation procedure is based on your civil registration number. However, if screening examination is relevant after sex change, it can be provided regardless of your registered gender by contacting the Department of Public Health Programmes: Link to contact information