Community directory

North London Breast Screening Service (Edgware)

The North London Breast Screening Service, as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme, offers a free breast screening service to all women over 50 years old, living in Barnet, Brent, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow and the southern half of West Hertfordshire (Hertsmere, Watford and Three Rivers District).

All women aged between 50 and 70 years, who are registered with a GP in these areas, will automatically receive an invitiation every three years to attend a breast screening site, either mobile or static, near their home. The Breast Screening Unit is based at Edgeware Community Hospital and screens from 2 static sites - Edgware and North Middlesex Hospital and six mobile vans. From April 2006 the mobile unit serving this area will be located in Brook Road, opposite the Fairbrook Medical Centre, Borehamwood, for appoximately four months.

Women over 70 will not receive an automatic appointment but are entitled to a free mammogram every three years. These women are encouraged to make their own appointment by telephoning the unit directly on 020 8951 4045 (Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm).

Breast screening (mammography) is an x-ray examination of the breast that can detect the presence of breast cancer at an early stage. The mammogram only takes a couple of minutes, with the whole visit to the unit only taking half an hour.

Early detection of breast cancer is crucial in improving a woman's prognosis and so we strongly encourage women over 50 to attend for breast screening. Women of all ages should, however, be breast aware. This means becoming familiar with how their breasts look and feel normally, knowing what changes to look for and speaking to their GP immediately if they have any concerns.