South West London Breast Screening

11/03/2026

New research of 175,000 women – the largest NHS study to date – on AI in breast cancer screening shows that AI detected more cases of invasive cancer, more cases overall, had fewer false positives, and recalled fewer women having their first scan than humans did.

For one part of the study, which St George’s Hospital took part in, it found that an AI-assisted system alongside specialist radiologists can detect more cases of invasive breast cancer, while reducing the time radiologists spend reading scans by almost a third.

Dr. Mamatha Reddy, radiology consultant for breast screening at St George’s Hospital, said: “Improving cancer detection and finding cancers earlier means we can treat people sooner and improve their outcomes and survival rates, and this study could pave the way in allowing technology such as AI to aid doctors.

“For the first time, using AI alongside specialist radiologists has increased our accuracy in spotting early signs of cancer, while cutting the time spent reading scans by almost a third - allowing us to focus more time on caring for patients.”

12/02/2026

Does HRT cause breast cancer?

💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊💊

Lots of women ask us this ! The answer is not a yes or no !

💊Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer

💊The risk is higher with combined HRT compared to oestrogen-only HRT. ( you will take combined HRT usually unless you have had a hysterectomy)

💊The risk is higher the longer you take HRT

💊For many women the benefits of taking HRT will outweigh the risks

You can reduce your risk of breast cancer by limiting alcohol, 🍸

Keepig to a healthy weight and being physically active regularly🏃‍♀️

This is really important in reducing your risk .

03/02/2026

In a word —- Yes

🎀Alcohol consumption definitely does increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

🎀Around 8-10% of breast cancers are linked to alcohol consumption.

🎀The more alcohol you consume, the higher your risk.

🎀Alcohol increases levels of hormones like oestrogen, which can fuel hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

🎀Alcohol is broken down into a compound called acetaldehyde, which can damage DNA.🧬

🎀Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of several cancer types, with breast cancer being one of the most common.

🎀Reducing alcohol intake, having alcohol-free days, and avoiding binge drinking are effective ways to lower the risk.

🏃‍♀️Please take care of yourself
Eat a healthy diet / try to maintain a healthy weight / take exercise and reduce alcohol intake as much as you can.

Attend for your mammograms and all health screening when you are invited

14/01/2026

From spring this year we will be sending electronic appointment letters .

You will be able to receive and view your breast screening appointment on your smartphone tablet or computer!

Please do attend for your breast screening when you are invited.






08/01/2026

💗 Why does routine breast screening stop at 71 in the UK? 💗

This question comes up a lot, and understandably so.

In the UK, women are automatically invited for NHS breast screening between the ages of 50 and 70

🩷Screening doesn’t actually “stop” at 71 — it’s just that automatic invitations stop.

The reasons are mainly about balance of benefit and risk, not because older women aren’t valued or at risk.

🔹 Evidence & benefit
Screening is offered where research shows it clearly saves the most lives overall. As we age, other health conditions become more common, and the benefit of routine screening is less clear for the whole population.

🔹 Risk of over-diagnosis
Screening can find very slow-growing cancers that may never cause harm, especially later in life. Treating these can sometimes do more harm than good.

🔹 Individual choice still matters
Women over 71 can still have breast screening every 3 years — you just need to self-refer by contacting your local breast screening unit or GP. This puts the choice back in your hands.

🔹 Symptoms always matter
At any age, if you notice changes (a lump, skin changes, ni**le changes, pain, or discharge), you should see your GP urgently. Symptoms are taken seriously regardless of age.

💡 The key message:
Screening doesn’t end at 71 — automatic invitations do. Awareness, choice, and prompt action continue for life.

Please share — this information can really reassure people 💗

23/12/2025

Happy festive season and best wishes for 2026 from all of us at South West London Breast Screening 🎄

12/12/2025

Did you know you can use this screening checker to see if you are eligible for cancer screening .

Screening for cancer is key for early diagnosis, treatment and better outcomes.

Stand Up To Cancer is a fundraising campaign that brings the UK together to speed up progress in life-saving cancer research. Find out more.

27/11/2025

The national Breast Screening Programme is a vital tool for early detection of Breast Cancer , preventing an estimated 1300 deaths in the UK each year .

Most recently our figures show about 70% of women in SW London attend for screening when invited - we are working hard to increase that .

Please come along for your mammogram when you are invited. If you have any questions or concerns please call the number on your letter and have a chat with us !

19/11/2025

⛔️Sometimes women may not attend for their mammogram because they are concerned about radiation exposure.

✅The amount of radiation used for a mammogram is very low .

🏃‍♀️Lifestyles factors like being overweight and not exercising are far more likely to cause breast cancer than having a mammogram..

💖A mammogram can save your life ! So please attend when you are invited.

13/11/2025

Remember to check your breasts and attend your screening appointments.

We're so grateful to Davina McCall for sharing her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer so openly and highlighting the importance of being breast aware.

Anyone can get breast cancer, so it's important to know what’s normal for you.

Touch your breasts

Look for changes

Check anything new or unusual with a GP

There’s no right way to check. Just make sure you do it regularly. Find out more here: https://brnw.ch/21wXq83

27/10/2025

Sarah - one of our specialist nurses was delighted to join the Richmond Full of Life Fair at Twickenham RFC Stadium on Friday. It was a fantastic event with lots of local residents coming to the stand to talk about breast awareness and breast screening.

24/10/2025

Today we celebrated the lighter side of breast awareness month with a wear it pink day at the Rose Centre. Who knew there were so many shades of pink!

For breast awareness and breast screening information have a look at Breast Cancer Now's fab leaflet below
https://breastcancernow.org/download-and-order-publications/know-your-breasts-a-guide-to-breast-awareness-and-screening-bcc2