BreastCheck, Ireland’s free national breast screening programme, provides screening in Galway at our permanent Western Unit, University Hospital Galway, providing free breast screening to women.
Here are seven things to know about BreastCheck, the free national breast screening programme:
Free Screening
BreastCheck offers a screening mammogram (an X-ray of the breast ) to women aged 50-69 around every two years. Some women are 53 when they get their first invite. Most women get a normal mammogram result, but a small number, one in twenty, are invited back to our BreastCheck assessment clinics for more tests. Seven out of every 50 women called to assessment will be offered treatment by us for breast cancer.
Mammograms are quick and not too painful
Experiences vary, but three out of four women in our 2023/2024 large-scale patient survey reported only mild discomfort, or none. The mammogram takes a few minutes, and radiographers are trained to make you as comfortable as possible and 85 per cent of women return for their next appointment.
Screening close to where you live
With centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway, a further 24 mobile units are travelling to 54 locations nationwide. In the patient survey 95 per cent of women either strongly agreed or agreed that their screening appointment was easy to get to.
Making screening more accessible
There is more time for your appointment or additional support if you have access needs or live with a health condition. There are also materials in different languages, accessible videos, picture-based guides and easy-read information. Sign language interpreter, a language interpreter, and information in Braille can also be provided.
The HSE Health App
The HSE App is making services more accessible, helping us to reach more women and ensure every appointment slot is filled. Download the app to see your appointment details, screening location and transport options. It also has information to help you prepare for your mammogram.
No symptoms or concerns about breast health
BreastCheck is for people aged 50 to 69 who do not have symptoms of breast cancer. If you have symptoms, please contact your GP.
Symptoms can include a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast, as well as a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts. A lump or swelling in either of your armpits, dimpling on the skin of your breasts and a rash on or around your nipple.
Dr Alissa Connors, BreastCheck Lead Clinical Director, said, “Breast screening can save lives. It looks for early signs of breast cancer, when it is too small to see or feel, when treatment is usually most effective.
“To make sure we use every appointment slot, we’re asking women to take a few simple steps to help us to help them. If you can’t attend your appointment, let us know – your slot can be offered to someone else. If your appointment time or location doesn’t suit, call us on the number on your appointment letter and we will aim to rearrange screening in another unit.
"We can also offer longer appointments or support for people who have extra needs. If you are aged 53 to 69 and have never been to BreastCheck before, give us a call. If we have cancellations, we can fit you in. Any questions at all, just call us.”
Gráinne Gleeson, BreastCheck Programme Manager, said, “Since we began breast screening in Ireland, we have provided over 2.5 million mammograms. Ireland’s population is growing, with 100,000 more women eligible for BreastCheck today than six years ago.
“Most women, seven in ten, are being offered their breast screen within our target time of approximately every two years. We know some are waiting longer than 2 years, and we are prioritising those who have not been screened before and those who are waiting longest. We’re putting on extra screening sessions and recruiting more staff to get to everyone as quickly as possible."
