Frequently asked questions
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Here you will find answers to common questions about BreastScreen Norway.
How can I change or cancel my appointment?
Contact your breast center if you need to change or cancel your appointment.
When will I be invited for my first mammogram?
You will receive your first invitation for a mammogram in BreastScreen Norway when you are between 48 and 53 years of age, depending on where you live.
Will I be invited to have my mammogram on the screening bus now visiting my town?
If you are born in one of the birth cohorts currently being invited in your town, you will receive an invitation.
Are mammograms painful?
Most women participating in BreastScreen Norway do not find mammograms very painful. In a study from BreastScreen Norway, the women gave av average score of about 2.5 when they rated how painful the examination was based on a scale from 0 to 10.
Some may still experience discomfort or pain, especially those who already have pain in their shoulders and/or neck. Let the radiographers know if this applies to you so they can adjust the examination and minimize discomfort.
- If you menstruate and have particularly tender breasts at certain times, you may want to avoid scheduling your mammogram during those periods.
- Even if you have had a painful mammogram, your experience may be different next time. Talk to the radiographer performing the examination.
We need to apply pressure to the breasts for a few seconds while taking the mammograms. This is to ensure good image quality and keeping a low radiation dose to the breast.
Can I choose where to have my screening mammogram?
If you belong to a breast center that has multiple screening locations, you can contact the staff and most likely reschedule your mammogram to the one most convenient for you. For example, women in Follo can choose between having their mammogram at the screening location in either Ski or Lillestrøm. This is because they are both connected to the breast center at Ahus, as are Follo.
Which breast center you belong to, is decided by your registered address. You can not choose which breast center you belong to.
Why is the screening mammogram only offered every two years?
A screening mammogram every two years is considered sufficient for women aged 50-69 with no symptoms of breast cancer and an average risk of breast cancer.
This is based on experiences from mammographic screening programs in other European countries and aligns with the European guidelines for breast cancer screening.
Why is BreastScreen Norway only for women aged 50-69?
Studies have shown that mammographic screening reduces breast cancer mortality, with the most convincing effect observed in the 50-69 age group. This is why Norwegian health authorities offer screening to this age group.
New evidence suggests that organized screening may also reduce breast cancer mortality for women aged 45-49 and 70-74. The Norwegian Directorate of Health is currently leading a work to assess a possible expansion of the age group. The Directorate will present its recommendation to the Ministry of Health and Care Services in 2026, and the final decision on expansion of BreastScreen Norway will be made at the political level.
Should I continue having mammograms after age 70?
There is no program for breast cancer screening for women over 70 in Norway, nor an official recommendation for women without symptoms to continue being screened after this age.
However, you should still be aware of any new changes in your breasts and contact your doctor if you notice symptoms. You can read about breast cancer symptoms on helsenorge.no.
Women over 70 are not included in BreastScreen Norway because the effect of mammographic screening has been best documented for women aged 50-69.
What happens if I get diagnosed with breast cancer ?
If further examinations after the mammogram confirm the presence of breast cancer or precancerous lesions that require treatment, you will receive follow-up at your local breast center. This means consultation with a surgeon and a nurse, as well as planning for further treatment and follow up.
I have had breast cancer surgery – should I participate in BreastScreen Norway?
Routines for follow-up after breast cancer surgery vary, so you should always follow the plan given by your treating doctor.
For some women, this means they should not participate in the screening program for a few years. If BreastScreen Norway part of your follow-up plan, the mammogram costs the usual screening fee of NOK 387. This fee is not covered by the state medical exemption scheme (frikort), and you are not refunded for travel expenses.
Why isn’t ultrasound offered?
Ultrasound is considered a supplement to mammography. The two radiologists reviewing your mammograms will decide if you need additional tests, such as ultrasound.
Is the radiation dose from a mammogram harmful?
The health risks from mammograms are considered minimal, because each mammogram involves a very low radiation dose.
You can read more about radiation safety in diagnostic imaging, including mammography, on the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.
I have a family history of breast cancer – when should I start having mammograms?
BreastScreen Norway is for women aged 50-69. If you suspect you have a hereditary increased risk of breast cancer, you should speak with your general practitioner (GP). Your GP can refer you to the medical genetics department in your health region for guidance and risk assessment.
I have received an invitation to BreastScreen Norway but I just had a mammogram. What should I do?
If it has been six months or less since your last mammography, your appointment should likely be postponed. Contact your local breast center for more information and to make arrangements.
How much does the mammogram cost?
The mammogram is NOK 387 in BreastScreen Norway. This fee is not included in the state medical exemption scheme (frikort).
You must cover travel costs yourself, as the mammogram is not included in the patient travel reimbursement scheme.
If you need any additional examinations after the screening mammogram, you will pay a fee at the breast center for the additional examinations. This is a copayment included in the state medical exemption scheme. Also, travel costs for additional examiantions are reimbursed according to current regulations.
What if I have breast implants?
You can attend in BreastScreen Norway with breast implants.
Both imaging and image evaluation is more challenging when implants are present, but we use procedures adjusted to implants to achieve the best possible results. The compression is adjusted individually, and the risk of implant damage during imaging is low.
Women with breast implants are more frequently recalled for further examinations.
How reliable is mammography?
Mammography does not detect all changes in the breasts. Breast cancer can also be detected between screening appointments.
If you notice changes in your breasts, you should contact your GP and, if necessary, be referred to a breast center – even if you recently had a mammogram.
Will I receive an invitation to BreastScreen Norway if I have changed my gender?
BreastScreen Norway sends invitations based on personal identification numbers, and only individuals registered as female in the National Population Register will receive an invitation.
Others should consult their GP if they need a referral for mammography.
What are "dense breasts" and what does this mean for my mammogram?
When we talk about "dense breasts" or mammographic density, we refer to the amount of glandular tissue in the breast. A mammogram can provide information about breast density.
In women with high breast density, detecting breast cancer can be more difficult because tumors may be hidden within dense glandular tissue.
The degree of breast density varies between individuals and changes over time – it generally decreases with age.
A study from BreastScreen Norway found that only about 5% of participating women were assessed to be in the category of having extremely dense breasts.
Is it recommended to participate in BreastScreen Norway after breast reconstruction with autologous tissue?
If you have a breast that has been reconstructed with your own tissue or an implant after a full mastectomy, this breast does not need to be screened for breast cancer. There is also no need for radiological follow-up of the chest wall if the entire breast has been removed.
However, if you have a remaining natural breast following a breast cancer diagnosis, you should follow the surveillance plan provided by your doctor.
Follow-up plans can vary. For some women, this means they should not participate in the screening program for a few years due to separate follow-up programs. For others, it may mean participating in screening every two years, alternating with a separate follow-up plan in between.
If you are unsure what applies to you, consult your treating doctor or GP.