Breast Cancer Care has more information about what happens at a breast clinic and the tests used to make a diagnosis .

Breast screening
As 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50, if you're between 50 and 70 you'll be invited for breast screening every three years as part of the National Breast Screening Programme.

You'll be sent an invitation to come for a mammogram (breast x-ray). This may not happen the year you turn 50, but will happen by the time you're 53. It's important to remember that you still need to be breast aware even when taking part in the screening programme. Report any changes to your GP without delay, even if you've had a recent mammogram.

A small number of women will be asked to come back for further investigations after attending a routine mammogram. This doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer. It's more likely to be because the mammogram is unclear, or because it shows up something that needs further tests. If you're sent a recall letter, it's important to attend the appointment.

If you're over 70, you won't be invited for screening but you are entitled to free breast screening every three years on request. Contact the breast-screening unit or ask your GP or practice nurse to arrange an appointment for you.

You can find out where your local breast-screening unit is by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (or NHS 24 on 08454 242424 in Scotland), by contacting your GP practice or visiting www.breastcancercare.org.uk.

At present, women under 50 aren't invited for screening. This is because screening hasn't yet been shown to benefit this age group.

Breast awareness five-point code
The Department of Health recommends that instead of examining your breasts every month for abnormalities, you follow this five-point code, which is much more effective at detecting changes and abnormalities.

1. Know what's normal for you
Woman of all ages should be aware of the normal appearance and texture of their breasts. The following can be normal:

* One breast bigger than the other
* Nipple inversion
* Accessory breast/nipple (two to five per cent)
* Lumpiness
* Tenderness or pain
During the menstrual cycle, some women experience enlarged, tender, lumpy breasts and these symptoms settle after the period. But some women experience lumpy, tender breasts all the time.

During pregnancy, breasts become larger as the milk-producing cells multiply. It's normal for the nipples to get darker and the blood vessels to become more prominent.

As you age, breast tissue loses its elasticity and it's normal for breasts to sag. During the menopause, your breasts may shrink (as a result of the reduction in oestrogen), although sometimes they do get larger. The nipples may alter, as the major ducts behind them get shorter and wider.

Get to know what is normal for you by:

* Feeling your breasts every day until you're familiar with their texture and how it can change through the menstrual cycle
* Look and feel your breasts regularly, whenever it's convenient for you

2. Know what changes to look and feel for
Once you're aware of what's normal for you, it's important to look out for changes in your breasts. You should look out for any of the following:

* A change in the shape of the breast (pulling of the skin, visible swelling)
* Changes in the nipple (pulling in)
* Swelling in the armpit
* Lumps or thickening that feels different from the rest of the breast
3. Look and feel
Whenever is convenient for you:

* Look at your breasts in the mirror and notice how they fall and move as you raise your arms
* Look at the position of your nipples
* Feel your breasts from time to time

4. Report any changes to your GP without delay
The majority of changes will be normal. Your GP may:

* Ask you to return at another time in your menstrual cycle
* Refer you to a breast clinic
* Invite you to attend routine screening if you're between the age of 50 and 70
5. Attend routine screening if you're 50 or over
Between breast-screening appointments, it's important that you continue to be breast aware and follow the five-point code.

Information in these breast awareness pages is reproduced by kind permission of Breast Cancer Care

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