Guidance

Opting out of breast screening

Information for health professionals about how, and in what circumstances, women can opt out temporarily or permanently from breast screening.

• From: NHS England
• Published: 7 February 2020
• Last updated: 6 August 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 6 August 2025

     Added link to the New Registration for Breast Screening (BS) Select form

  2. 1 August 2025

     Uploaded new registration form to reflect changes to the service desk address.

  3. 22 July 2025

     Updated new registration form

  4. 15 May 2025

     Minor language updates to 'Confirmation of receipt form E', 'New Registration form' and 'Confirmation of receipt form CD'

  5. 14 October 2024

     Added clarification that publication was previously published by Public Health England.

  6. 13 July 2023

     All attached forms have been updated.

  7. 1 July 2020

     Added 'New registration request form'.

  8. 7 February 2020

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Guidance on opting out (cease) from breast screening

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FORM A permanently opt out (cease) from breast screening due to informed choice

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FORM B permanently opt out (cease) from breast screening due to bilateral mastectomy

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FORM C permanently opt out (cease) from breast screening due to best interests (MCA)

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FORM D permanently opt out (cease) from breast screening due to best interests (personal welfare lasting power of attorney)

ODT, 18.6 KB

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FORM E permanently withdraw (cease) from high risk breast screening due to informed choice

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FORM F permanently opting (unceasing) back into screening

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Standard letter template confirmation of receipt of form A

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Introductory letter moved in ceased

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Standard letter template confirmation of receipt of form B

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Standard letter template confirmation of receipt of form C and D

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Standard letter template confirmation of receipt of form E

ODT, 16.2 KB

This file is in an OpenDocument format

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email england.contactus@nhs.net. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This guidance is for health professionals working in the NHS Breast Screening Programme (BSP) and includes information on:

• temporarily opting out
• permanently opting out
• opting back into the screening programme

It includes the forms health professionals will need to perform their duties.