A trial to evaluate an age extension to the NHS Breast Screening Programme (AgeX)
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This trial is looking at the benefits and risks of extending the age when women are invited for breast screening.
The trial has now closed to recruitment. The research team will look at how many people are diagnosed with breast cancer and how they do.
They hope to have some early results by 2026. But the final results for the study won't be available until at least 2032. We will update this page with a summary of the results when they are available.
More about this trial
At present, all women between the ages of 50 and 70 are invited for breast screening as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). In this trial the age range is being extended to include women between the ages of 47 and 49 and 71 to 73. Researchers hope to learn the risks and benefits of inviting women in these age ranges for additional screening.
The age extension to the NHSBSP (AgeX) is taking place in 65 Breast Screening Units across England. During the study, half the women between the ages of 47 to 49, and half the women between the ages of 71 to 73 will be 
to have breast screening. Some women between the ages of 74 and 79, and who have previously been invited for breast screening, may also be invited for an extra screen.
Researchers will collect information about the number of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and the number of women who die of the disease.
The aim of this study is to see if extending the age range of breast screening reduces deaths from breast cancer.
More information about this study is available on the University of Oxford website.
Who can enter
This study was for people who were:
- female and aged between 47 and 49 or between 71 and 73
- living in an area where the breast screening unit is involved in the study
Trial design
This study took place at 65 Breast Screening Units in England. In these areas:
- half the women between the ages of 47 and 49 will receive an invite for screening and the other half will not
- half the women between the ages of 71 and 73 will receive an invite, and the other half will not. Some women between the ages of 74 and 79 who have previously been invited, may also be invited for an extra screen
It is a randomised study. Women are put into groups by a computer. You cannot decide which group you are in. Women over 70 can ask to have breast screening every 3 years wherever they live.
Hospital visits
If you receive an invite and decide to attend for screening, you will have at least 1 extra visit to the screening unit.
Side effects
Although having an extra means you will be exposed to more X-rays, the NHSBSP says there is no current evidence to suggest that the risk of this exposure outweighs the benefits of breast screening.
We have more information about having a mammogram.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Associate Professor Toral Gathani
Supported by
Public Health England
NHS Breast Screening Programme
University of Oxford
Cancer Research UK
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
