The Dutch National Breast Cancer Screening Programme is designed for women between 50 and 75 years of age. Once every 2 years, women in this age group are invited for a mammogram.

This webpage contains information about the screening, organisation and background.

Information materials about the breast screening are available in English and other languages

Execution framework

The execution framework describes how the breast cancer screening programme and the subsequent care are carried out so that it runs effectively and within legal, policy-related frameworks. It can be found in the following document:
Framework execution Dutch Breast Cancer Screening (2021).

Monitoring

The Dutch breast cancer screening programme is coordinated by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). RIVM commissioned the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL) to carry out national monitoring of the breast cancer screening programme on an annual basis. Monitoring ensures the quality of the breast cancer screening programme and identifies pertinent issues and bottlenecks.

Is this your first time participating?

Watch the animation below. It shows what to expect from the screening step by step. 

Is this your first time participating?

Voiceover:
Your first breast cancer screening.

*Music starts*

Voiceover:
This animation shows what happens during a breast cancer screening. This way, you know in advance what to expect. Sometimes, the screening takes place in a building, but most of the screenings take place in a large bus. The breast cancer screening is done by staff who have had special training. You can be screened by a woman if you want. You can ask the staff everything about the screening. They will try to make you as comfortable as possible. What happens during the screening? We will now show you, step by step. When you arrive, show your invitation letter and your proof of identity. Next, you will be asked to wait your turn. When it is your turn, you go to the changing room.

On-screen text: Tips. Wear comfortable clothes.
Bring a cloth or scarf in case you have to wait a while.

Voiceover:
Take off your clothes from your top half only. An employee will come and collect you. She will take pictures of your breasts. The employee will explain what she is doing and how you can help. She will take two pictures of each breast. The employee will put you in the right position each time, so your breast will be ready for the next picture. After the pictures, you go back to the changing room to put your clothes back on. If the quality of the pictures is OK, you can go home. Taking the pictures will take around 5 minutes. The appointment will take around 20 minutes in total. Would you like to know more about the national programme for breast cancer screening? Go to www.rivm.nl/en/breast-cancer-screening-programme.

Logo National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport appears on screen.

On-screen text: Would you like to know more about the national programme for breast cancer screening? www.rivm.nl/en/breast-cancer-screening-programme.

*Music ends*

Contact

Breast Cancer Screening Programme Coordinator
Centre for Population Screening
RIVM
Att. Programme Coordinator Breast Cancer Screening
E-mail: bevolkingsonderzoekkanker@rivm.nl