You will receive a personal invitation for breast cancer screening by letter roughly every two years if, according to the data in the Population Information System, you are woman living in Helsinki between the ages of 50 and 69.
In odd years, the invitation is sent to those born in odd years, and in even years, the invitation is sent to those born in even years. The letter will state the time and place of your appointment. The screening is free of charge and voluntary.
The screenings are carried out by Unilabs Oy.
Why should I participate in the screening?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Screening aims to detect breast cancer as early as possible, which gives a good prognosis for cancer treatment. Early detection also increases the opportunities for treatments that preserve breast tissue.
How is the screening performed?
Mammography is an X-ray examination. The breast being examined is compressed between two plates to keep it still, enhance the visibility of details, and reduce radiation exposure.
The compression may feel uncomfortable, but it lasts only for the moment the image is taken.
More information: Mammography and other mammary gland examinations (Examinationhub | Health Village)(Link leads to external service)
The website of the non-profit organisation Tunne rintasi ry features videos on what happens at a mammography: Screening mammography (Tunne rintasi ry)(Link leads to external service)
Please note that a mammography is an X-ray examination, and at least one year must have passed since your previous mammography. Breast implants are generally not an obstacle to performing the examination.
How are the results of the examination communicated?
If you have given your consent to text messages, you will receive the result of the examination and an invitation for any further examination primarily by text message. If you wish, you can also receive the result of the examination by letter. Alternatively, we invite you to any further examination by calling you, or if we cannot reach you in any other way, by letter.
What if there are abnormal findings?
If the screening indicates that further examinations are necessary, you will receive an invitation for further examinations and any subsequent procedures and treatments.
In further examinations, your breasts will usually be imaged again. Typically, a breast ultrasound is also performed, during which needle biopsies may be taken if necessary. Sometimes, an MRI scan is also used, or a ductography, meaning X-ray imaging of the milk ducts using a contrast dye, is performed.
How do I cancel or reschedule my screening appointment?
If the appointment time suggested in the invitation letter does not suit you, the primary way to reschedule the appointment is to use the online booking service at the address specified in the letter. Logging in to the online service requires strong authentication using online banking credentials, for example.
Log in to the Unilabs online service(Link leads to external service)
In the online service, you can see all of our available screening appointments for one month ahead. If you are unable to find a suitable time within the month, please wait for the appointment calendar to be updated.
If you are unable to book an appointment online, you can also book an appointment by phone on weekdays between 8.00 and 18.00. The number is 09 685 4158(Link starts a phone call).
Did you not receive an invitation?
If you have obtained an order of non-disclosure for personal safety reasons, you will not get an invitation to screening. In that case, book a screening appointment yourself.
In some cases, you may not receive the invitation if you have moved and your details in the Population Information System have not yet been updated. Invitations are sent throughout the year. If you have not received an invitation by the end of the year, please book a screening appointment yourself.
Invitations are sent out based on the gender marker in the Population Information System. If you have confirmed your gender as male, you will not receive a separate invitation for screening. However, you can still participate in screening by contacting Unilabs’ customer service.