Now that you've had your mammogram – English Large Print - HE10117-ELP

Now that you’ve had your mammogram

BreastScreen Aotearoa

Adapted in 2026 by Accessible Formats Service, Blind Low Vision NZ, Auckland

Transcriber's Note: The logo at the top of the page is BreastScreen Aotearoa and a circle with "Time to screen" inside.

This information is from BreastScreen Aotearoa. BreastScreen Aotearoa is New Zealand’s free national breast screening service.

Women aged 45 to 69 (with eligibility currently being rolled out to 74) are eligible for free mammograms every two years through the BreastScreen Aotearoa Service.

This information is about what happens once you have had a mammogram, how you will get the results of your mammogram, and what you can do in the future to find possible signs of breast cancer early.

Our contact number is 0800 270 200 If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, speech impaired or find it hard to talk, you can use New Zealand Relay Services

Now that you’ve had your mammogram

Thank you for taking part in BreastScreen Aotearoa. You may be wondering what happens next. This pamphlet explains the process.

Your mammogram will be carefully checked by two expert radiologists (doctors who specialise in reading mammograms). If the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme has any of your previous mammograms, a comparison will be done to check for any changes.

Your results will be sent directly to you within three weeks. These will also be sent to your doctor or hauora provider, unless you let us know at your appointment that you don’t wish this to happen. Please phone us on 0800 270 200 if your results do not arrive. If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, speech impaired or find it hard to talk, you can use New Zealand Relay Services

When you are due for your next screening you will be sent an invitation via email, text or letter, with a secure personalised booking link.

For most women this will be in two years. It may differ for women aged 70 to 74 rejoining the programme due to the extended screening age range. Find out more about breast screening for women aged 70 and over at Breast screening

It is important to screen regularly so that any changes have a good chance of being found early, when they are easier to treat. Sometimes we see something on your x-ray that needs a closer look. More information will be given to you if you need to return for any further checks. Remember, this does not mean you have breast cancer, just that more information is needed.

It's your choice

It is your choice whether or not you have regular mammograms to check for breast cancer. You can opt out of the programme at any time. You can also rejoin at any time, as long as you remain eligible.

If you decide not to participate in the programme, you or your healthcare provider can still arrange your mammograms with another service, but they may not be free, and results will not be recorded with BreastScreen Aotearoa.

It is BreastScreen Aotearoa's responsibility to provide the best care possible. If at any time you feel uncomfortable or unhappy with the care you have received, please let us know. It’s important to us that you keep coming back for your regular mammograms, so if there is an issue we will do everything we can to fix it. You can find out more about your rights at Your rights — Health & Disability Commissioner

Remember

Mammograms do not prevent cancer, but they can detect it.

Mammograms find most cancers present at the time of screening, but approximately 10 percent of breast cancers will not be found.

Possible signs of breast cancer are:

• a new lump in the breast or armpit
  
• changes to the breast shape or size
  
• changes to the skin of the breast such as dimpling, puckering, or thickening
  
• changes in the nipple such as turning inwards, ulcers, or a new itch
  
• nipple discharge or bleeding
  
• persistent redness
  
• pain in the breast that does not go away.

While these signs may not be breast cancer, it is important new changes are checked by your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

If your mammogram today was painful, it is important to talk to the staff at BreastScreen Aotearoa before coming back for your next one. They can help you make it more comfortable next time.

We welcome any comments about your visit today and encourage you to tell your friends about the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme. We hope to see you again in two years.

You can phone us on 0800 270 200 If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, speech impaired or find it hard to talk, you can use New Zealand Relay Services

For general enquiries about screening email screening@health.govt.nz

More information about BreastScreen Aotearoa is available online at Breast screening

End of Now that you've had your Mammogram