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East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
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East Kent Breast Screening Programme

Image of the East Kent Breast Screening Programme logo

The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers a free breast screening service every three years to women aged between 50 and 70 who are registered with a GP.

Breast screening is an effective way of detecting breast cancer, often at a very early stage, when there are no outward signs. The sooner the problem is detected, the more ways there are of treating it successfully. Many women in east Kent have had their lives saved by taking part in the breast screening programme.

Through these web pages you can find out more about NHS breast screening in east Kent, how and where you can be screened and about your local hospital's breast screening facilities.

If you have any concerns about your breasts you should see your GP immediately, who can arrange for a mammogram if needed.

Useful links

Facilities

The Stuart Field Mammography Unit

The Stuart Field Mammography Unit is based at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

We provide a screening and symptomatic breast imaging service.

It is a modern department with three x-ray rooms, two ultrasound rooms, two clinical rooms and a counselling room. The reception area is light and airy with tea and coffee facilities. Toilets, including disabled toilets, are located nearby. There is disabled access into the department.

The department originally opened in 1989, a year after the NHS Breast Screening Programme was set up by the Department of Health. As the service grew, it was extended upward and outward, and the new building which was officially reopened in May 2003, was named after Professor Stuart Field, who set up the service at Canterbury.

The department also runs the three mobile screening units moving around over 18 sites throughout east Kent. It invites around 30,000 women for a screening mammogram each year.

Our staff

Superintendent radiographer

  • Barbara Turner

Screening officer manager

  • Ann Nelhams

Breast clinicians

  • Dr. Ruth Wilson

  • Dr. Carol Rikenbach.

Programme manager

  • Caroline Wendholt

Radiologists


  • 16 radiographers all having the required qualification in mammography

  • five assistant practitioners

  • one radiographer helper

  • two nurses

  • five office staff.

Find us

The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers a free breast screening service every three years to women aged between 50 and 70 who are registered with a GP. If you are registered with a local GP, you will automatically be sent an appointment.

Three mobile units move around the east Kent area to offer this screening service.

To see when a mobile unit will be in your area, please click on your local area on our map below.

Image of the Breast screening location map of Kent
Clickable map showing the locations and times of breast screening services across east Kent.
Breast screening dates in Folkestone Breast screening dates in Canterbury Breast screening dates in Margate Breast screening dates in Dover Breast screening dates in Tenterden Breast screening dates in Faversham Breast screening dates in Whitstable Breast screening in Sandwich Breastscreening dates in Hythe

Contact us

To find out more information about Breast Screening or to alter an appointment, please contact the Breast Screening Unit by telephone on 01227 783000 or by email: canterburybreastscreening@nhs.net

Frequently asked questions

I have recently moved into the area. How do I make sure I get my appointment?

If you are registered with a local GP you will automatically be sent an appointment for the Kent and Canterbury Hospital within three years of your last screen.

I am over 70 - can I continue to be screened?   

If you are over 70 you will no longer be sent an appointment. However, if you still wish to have a mammogram, please contact the screening office to see when the mobile van is in your area. Phone: 01227 783000. There is no charge for this service.

I am under 50 - can I be screened?

If you are under 50 you are not entitled to have a mammogram as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme. If you have concerns about your breasts you should see your GP, who can arrange for a mammogram if needed.

If you are over 40, you can arrange a screening mammogram through EKUBS.

Will I be screened by a woman?

All the staff on the mobile units are female.

Can I be screened if I have implants?

The Department of Health has strongly advised that women who have Triculent implants should not be screened. Women who have other types of implants should attend the Breast Screening Unit at Kent and Canterbury Hospital for their mammogram.

I am unable to attend my appointment, can I re-arrange?

Yes, simply telephone the Breast Screening Unit on 01227 783000 and another appointment will be made for you.