Skip to main content

Understanding my results

Understanding your results and what happens next.

Your results

When will I get my results?

You will get your results by letter within 3 weeks. Your GP will be sent your results too.

If you haven’t got your results in 3 weeks, phone your local screening centre.

If you live in Highland contact the North of Scotland Breast Screening Service: 01463 705416

If you live in Argyll and Bute contact the West of Scotland Breast Screening Service: 0141 800 8800

A letter and its original envelope from NHS Highland about breast screening appointment. There is overlying text saying '3 Weeks'

What will my results show?

Your test results will show 1 of 2 possible results:

  • Negative Result
  • Positive Result
Brs Why Is Screening Important

Negative result

Negative result

Most people will have a negative result.

This means there’s was no sign of breast cancer.

You will be invited for screening again in 3 years.

A letter and its original envelope from NHS Highland about breast screening appointment. There is overlying text saying '3 Years'

Positive result

Positive result

About 5 out of 100 women have a positive test result.

It means something in the breast needs to be looked at more closely to find out exactly what it is.

A positive test result does not mean you definitely have breast cancer.

You will be invited for more tests.

 

A letter and its original envelope from NHS Highland about breast screening appointment. There is overlying text saying 'Further Tests'

Previous or next page

Icon of a house

Back to the beginning

Let's go back to the beginning to look at:

Breast screening (Easy Read)
A graphic of a backward pointing arrow

Previous page

Let's go back and look at:

About my test
A graphic of a forward pointing arrow

Next page

Let's move on and look at:

What keeps me healthy

Last updated: 21 November 2023