Breast cancer screening in the UK has evolved in late 2025 toward a more personalized model that considers an individual's unique genetic and lifestyle risk factors. While the national breast screening program continues to offer mammograms to women aged 50 to 71, new protocols are being tested that provide more frequent or advanced imaging for those with dense breast tissue or a family history of the disease. This shift toward "stratified screening" aims to detect malignancies at their earliest, most treatable stages while reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies for low-risk individuals. According to the UK Women's Healthcare Sector, the integration of artificial intelligence in mammography analysis is assisting radiologists in identifying subtle changes that may be missed by the human eye. This combination of technological precision and personalized risk mapping is essential for maintaining the UK's high survival rates and ensuring that screening resources are used where they have the most significant clinical impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does "dense breast tissue" mean? A. It refers to having more glandular and fibrous tissue than fatty tissue in the breast, which can sometimes make mammograms more difficult to interpret.

Q. Is artificial intelligence replacing radiologists? A. No; AI acts as a "second pair of eyes" to help radiologists flag suspicious areas, but the final clinical diagnosis remains the responsibility of the medical professional.