Women in Donegal urged to avail of free BreastCheck screening mammogram

Women in Donegal are encouraged to avail of free breast screening at BreastCheck, Ireland’s free national breast screening programme.

A BreastCheck mobile unit is currently in Donegal Town, providing free breast screening to women. Most women are automatically registered with BreastCheck and are invited by age 52 or 53.

Donegal Democrat journalist Siobhán McNamara outlines her experience of BreastCheck in Donegal Town.

“I had my first mammogram in July at the mobile BreastCheck unit in Donegal Town and I found the whole process from making my first phone call to receiving my results to be extremely professional and reassuring,” she said. 

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“With a strong family history of breast cancer and a tendency to hormone-related breast pain, I was keen to get on the screening programme. Having turned 51 in November without being called, I contacted BreastCheck and was told I could expect to be called for an appointment within the next year.

“On seeing that the mobile unit was returning to Donegal Town this summer, I telephoned again and was offered an appointment for a few days later.

“The staff were very friendly and respectful, making the whole process feel comfortable and natural. The lady who conducted the mammogram explained that I could expect my results in around three weeks.

“The letter came slightly sooner, with good news that no cancer had been detected, putting my mind at rest for another while.”

BreastCheck Lead Clinical Director Dr Alissa Connors stressed that 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,” she said.

“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 Donegal Town 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.”

About BreastCheck

BreastCheck is advising seven things to know about BreastCheck:

-We provide free screening – and more

BreastCheck offers a screening mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) to women aged 50 to 69 around every two years. Some women are 53 when they get their first invite, it depends on when we are next screening in your area. Most women get a normal mammogram result but a small number - one in 20 – 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.

-Most of you tell us 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 our radiographers are trained to make you as comfortable as possible. We know 85% of women return for their next appointment.

-We move from place to place to offer screening close to where you live

We have centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway — plus 24 mobile units travelling to 54 locations nationwide. When we leave an area, women can be assured we will return. That’s how we reach every community. In our patient survey 95% of women either strongly agreed or agreed that their screening appointment was easy to get to.

-We can support you to make screening more accessible

We can give you more time for your appointment or additional support if you have access needs or live with a health condition. We have materials in different languages, accessible videos, picture-based guides and easy-read information. We can provide a sign language interpreter, a language interpreter, and information in Braille.

-We can send your BreastCheck screening appointment details via HSE Health App

The HSE App is making our service more accessible, helping us to reach more of you, 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.

-We provide screening for women who have no symptoms or concerns about breast health

BreastCheck is for if you are aged 50 to 69 and do not have symptoms of breast cancer. If you have symptoms, please contact your GP, do not come for screening. 

Breast Cancer Symptoms

-a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast

-a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts

-bloodstained discharge from either of your nipples

-a lump or swelling in either of your armpits

-dimpling on the skin of your breasts

-a rash on or around your nipple

-a change in how your nipple looks, such as sunken into your breast.

How you can help

BreastCheck has issued the following information on how to make the system efficient for everyone:

Check you are on the BreastCheck register at hse.ie/breastcheck or call us on 1800 45 55 55. Your details should be automatically uploaded but if not, you can join our register from age 48.

Keep your contact details up to date, including your mobile number.

Use the HSE App to view and manage your appointment and travel.

If you can’t attend, let BreastCheck know – we can rearrange your appointment for you.

Let us know if you need a longer appointment by calling 1800 45 55 55 or emailing access@breastcheck.ie.

For symptoms, contact your GP straight away.

Growing Population

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. To meet the challenge this brings, we continue to expand access to screening through innovation and prioritise those waiting longest. “We aim to offer women an appointment for her first screening test by age 52 - in some cases 53. It depends on when we are screening in her area.

“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 two 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.

“We provide a holistic end-to-end service for women coming for screening, through assessment and on to treatment if needed. Our breast screening service is accredited to the highest quality standard by the European breast screening quality assurance body, EUREF. This year we will screen over 170,000 women and uptake remains strong at 72% in 2024, above our 70% target.”