Participating or not?
Participation
Complete the questions on the back of your invitation letter and bring it with you to the breast exam. Also bring a valid ID.
Not participating or participating later
- Do you want to join later?
You can reschedule your appointment in My Health Screening. You need your DigiD to log in. You can also contact the information line. - Do you want to unsubscribe?
You can report this via My Health Screening. You need your DigiD to log in. You can also contact our information line. - Have you previously canceled (for a non-medical reason) and do you want to participate later?
That is possible. You can report this via My Health Screening. You need your DigiD to log in. You can also contact our information line.
In case of complaints, see a doctor
The health screening for breast cancer is for women who have no complaints about their breasts. If you have any complaints, or see or feel any of the following changes, ask your doctor for advice. Your GP may refer you to the hospital for further examination. In case of complaints, do not wait for the invitation for the health screening and do not make an appointment at the breast examination center.
- You feel a lump, swelling, or hardness in your breast
- You see or feel a lump on your chest
- You have dents or dimples in your chest
- The skin of your breast is pitted and looks like an orange peel
- A wound on your chest that is not healing well
- Redness, scaling, or retraction of a nipple
- Blood or green, brown, milky, or watery discharge from a nipple
- You feel swelling in your armpit
- Your chest is red and warm to the touch
- Your breast feels different than usual
- The shape or size of your breast changes
Mammogram in hospital
If you have had a mammogram made in a hospital in the past six months and you have no new complaints, you do not need to participate in the breast cancer screening programme. If you nevertheless want to participate in the population screening, this is of course possible.
Do you have new complaints? Please contact your GP for a referral to the hospital.
Breast surgery
If you have had a medical device, breast prosthesis, bypass or other operation on the breast in the past six months, the following applies to you:
- In the case of a medical device (e.g. a pacemaker) and breast surgery, we will not perform the breast cancer screening until 6 months after the placement/operation. We do this because the spot can still be sensitive.
- With a breast prosthesis and a bypass we advise you to wait 6 months before taking part in the health screening for breast cancer. This is an urgent advice, but not an obligation.
Frequently asked questions
I want to participate. What should I do?
If you want to participate, complete the questions on the back of your invitation and take the form with you to the screening. Please also take valid proof of identity with you.
I participate for the first time, what can I expect?
If so, you will receive a leaflet with additional information together with your invitation. You can also view the ‘First mammogram’ video below.
When do you not need to participate?
If you are being treated by a specialist in relation to a breast complaint, you do not need to participate. You should deregister via My Health Screening.
You can also contact our information line.
I've had a mastectomy. Can I participate in the research?
Have you had a single-sided mastectomy? Does a specialist still check you regularly? And are X-rays of your chest taken at least once a year? Then you do not have to participate in the research. Please inform the Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland via the unsubscribe form on the back of your invitation letter. Are you not regularly checked by a specialist? Then you can probably participate. If you are unsure about this, please contact your specialist.
Have you had a bilateral mastectomy? Then breast cancer screening is not suitable for you. You can unsubscribe permanently via My Health Screening. You can also contact the information line.
I do not want to participate. What should I do?
If you do not want to participate in the screening, you should deregister via My Health Screening. You can also contact our information line.
I have an implant. Can I participate in the health screening for breast cancer?
That depends on which implant it is. You can simply participate with the implants below. Indicate this on the form on the back of the invitation (question 5) and report it to the lab technician. He or she can then take this into account when compressing your chest. You can indicate during the examination if the compression hurts too much. PLEASE NOTE: we do not perform the examination until 6 months after placement, as the site may still be sensitive.
- ICD: delivers a shock to restore normal heart rhythm;
- S-ICD (Subcutaneous ICD): subcutaneous ICD;
- Pacemaker: device that keeps the heart beating in the right rhythm;
- Heart rhythm monitor (reveal): records the heart rhythm;
- Port-a-cath: delivery system that delivers drugs, fluids, and blood into the bloodstream;
- NVS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation): kind of pacemaker for the brain;
- PICC: line in a vein;
- LVAD: assist heart/pump deep in and around the heart.
Is your implant not in this list? Then ask your specialist for advice.
I have a breast implant. Can I participate in the screening?
Yes, you can participate in the screening. However, we do advise waiting 6 months after the implant as the area can still be painful. Please do inform the mammographer who is taking the mammogram that you have an implant.
PIP implants have a higher risk of tears, leakages and ‘sweating’ than other implants. It is wise to have your PIP implants checked before you participate in the breast screening. More information about tearing and removal of PIP implants can be found on the IGZ website. Click here for more information about implants and breast screening.
I have recently undergone a bypass operation. Can I participate in the screening?
Yes, you can participate in the screening. We do advise you to wait 6 months after the operation, because the area may still be sensitive. The waiting period of 6 months is an urgent advice, but not an obligation. In any case, it is important that the wound has healed properly, otherwise the examination will be too painful. Please inform the mammographer who is taking the mammogram.
Can I take part in the examination after breast surgery?
It is not necessary for you to participate in the breast examination, because your breast has already been examined because of the operation. You can possibly discuss this with the specialist who was involved in the operation. If you still want an examination, the operation must have been performed at least six months ago.
I have an FSL glucose meter attached to my arm. Can I participate in the population screening for breast cancer?
Yes, you can participate in the breast cancer screening programme. The manufacturer does not expect any problems with taking the X-rays. You can choose to place a new meter after the breast examination or to plan the examination or when the meter needs to be replaced (every 2 weeks).
I suffer from painful breasts. Can I participate in the screening?
Yes, you can participate in the screening. But please do inform the mammographer who is taking the mammogram. Some women have extremely sensitive breasts just prior to or during menstruation. It may sometimes be better to delay the appointment.
I use a wheelchair. Is the screening centre easily accessible?
Yes. However, please do contact our information line about this. We will then make a separate appointment for you.
Is it possible to take breast photos if I have a nipple piercing?
Please remove the piercing(s) before the examination. Piercings can affect the lighting, which may make it difficult to judge the photos.
As a transgender person, can I participate in the health screening for breast cancer?
If you are registered as a woman within the screening age, you will automatically receive an invitation. For the population screening for breast cancer, this means all persons aged 50 to 75 years. If you are registered as a man or X/O, we request that you register once bevolkingsonderzoeknederland.nl/deelnamewens. After your registration you will be automatically invited from now on.
BK: If I want to deregister of the breast cancer screening programme, I cannot give a specific reason. Why not?
Due to privacy legislation, we are not allowed to store specific information. That is why there are no answer options such as 'I am being treated or monitored for breast cancer in the hospital'. For the same reason, you cannot provide any further explanation under 'Other reasons'.