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 breastcenter if you need to change or cancel your appointment.
I have turned 50 – when will I receive my invitation?
Age of the first invitation varies from 48 to 53 years. This is due to that the municipaities are being invited in a specific order over a two-year period. You can check here to find out which birth cohorts are being invited in your district and when your area is scheduled for invitations.
The mammography bus is in my district – will I receive an invitation?
If you were born in one of the birth cohorts currently being invited in your district, you will receive an invitation. You can check this overview to see which birth cohorts are currently being invited in your district.
Are mammograms painful?
Studies show that the women in BreastScreen Norway do not find mammograms as painful anymore. On a scale from 0 to 10, women give an average score of about 2.5 when rating how painful the examination is.
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 to 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 before, your experience may be different next time. Talk to the radiographer performing the examination.
The reason we need to apply pressure to the breasts for a few seconds while taking images is to ensure good image quality and reduce the radiation dose to the breast.
Can I choose where to have my mammogram?
You must have your mammogram at a designated screening location associated with your breast center. If your breast center has multiple screening locations, you may be able to switch between them upon request. For example, women in Follo can have their mammogram in either Ski or Lillestrøm.
Which breast center you belong to is determined by your registered address and generally follows former county borders (before 2020).
This means, for example, that women from Drammen who commute to Oslo cannot have their mammogram in Oslo but must attend in Drammen. Similarly, women from the Sogn og Fjordane region must attend in Førde and cannot go to Bergen, even though both are now in the same county, Vestland.
The system is structured this way because BreastScreen Norway is organized based on women’s registered addresses, and the 16 breast centers in Norway are responsible for specific geographical areas for screening.
Why is the mammogram only offered every two years?
For women aged 50-69 who have an average risk of breast cancer and no symptoms, a mammogram every two years is considered sufficient. This is based on experiences from mammography 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 regular mammography 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 Cancer Registry of Norway supports that the possibility of expanding the program’s target group should be further examined. The Ministry of Health and Care Services is responsible for making any decisions regarding expansion.
I am over 70 – should I continue having mammograms?
There is no organized breast screening program for women over 70 in Norway, nor an official recommendation for women without symtoms to continue to be screenend after this age. However, you should still be aware of any changes in your breasts and contact your doctor if you notice symptoms of breast cancer. You can read about breast cancer symptoms on helsenorge.no.
Women over 70 are not included in the BreastScreen Norway because the effectiveness of regular mammography for asymptomatic women has been best documented for women aged 50-69.
I heard in the media that mammography screening leads to "false cancer" and that healthy women undergo unnecessary surgery – is this true?
Healthy women does not undergo surgery for breast cancer. The diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are based on tissue samples examined under a microscope by a specialized doctor (pathologist) in combination with imaging.
However, some tumors grow slowly while others grow quickly. This means that some breast cancers detected through screening might not have caused symptoms within a woman’s lifetime. This is known as overdiagnosis, but does not mean the diagnosis is incorrect. The challenge is that we cannot yet distinguish between slow-growing tumors that do not progress and those that may become aggressive. Therefore, all detected breast cancers are treated to ensure the best possible outcome.
What happens if breast cancer is detected?
If further examinations confirm breast cancer or precancerous changes that require treatment, you will receive follow-up care at your designated breast diagnostic center. This includes a consultation with a surgeon and a nurse, as well as planning for further treatment and additional examinations if necessary.
I previously had breast cancer surgery – should I participate in the screening program?
Follow-up schedules after breast cancer surgery vary, so it is important to follow the plan given by your treating doctor. For some women, this means they should not participate in the program for a few years. If BreastScreen Norway is used as part of your follow-up plan, the examination costs NOK 287. This amount is not covered by the state medical exemption scheme (frikort), and travel expenses must be paid by the individual.
Why isn’t ultrasound offered?
Ultrasound is considered a supplementary examination to mammography. The two radiologists reviewing your mammogram will decide if you need additional tests, such as ultrasound.
Is the radiation dose harmful?
Each mammogram involves a very low radiation dose, and the health risks from mammography are considered minimal. 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.
More information about hereditary breast cancer evaluation can be found in the National Breast Cancer Guidelines (link via helsebiblioteket.no - only in norwegian).
I have received an invitation to BreastScreen Norway but recently had a mammogram elsewhere. What should I do?
If it has been six months or less since your last mammografm, your appointment should likely be postponed. Contact your local breast center for more information and to make arrangements.
How much does it cost to participate?
The cost to participate in the screening program is NOK 287. This is a patient fee that is not included in the state medical exemption scheme (frikort).
You must cover travel costs yourself. The mammogram is not included in the patient travel reimbursement scheme.
Approximately 3 out of 100 women who attend the screening program are recalled for additional examinations due to mammographic findings or breast cancer symptoms. In such cases, you will pay a copayment at the breast center. This copayment is included in the state medical exemption scheme, and travel costs are reimbursed according to current regulations.
What if I have breast implants?
You can safely participate in BreastScreen Norway with breast implants.
Both imaging and image evaluation is more challenging when implants are present, but we follow adjusted procedures 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 required to undergo additional examinations.
How reliable is mammography?
Mammography does not detect all changes in the breasts. Breast cancer can also develop between screening appointments.
If you notice changes in your breasts, you should contact your GP and, if necessary, be referred to the nearest 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, which means only individuals registered as female in the National Population Register will receive an invitation.
Others who wish to have a mammogram should consult their doctor for a referral.
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 had extremely dense breast tissue.
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, you should consult your treating doctor or GP.
This information is based on guidelines from the National Breast Cancer Handbook, published by the Norwegian Directorate of Health (only in norwegian).