BreastCheck

BreastCheck is the national breast screening programme. The aim of the programme is to find breast cancer early and to provide treatment of breast cancer in women who show no symptoms of the disease.

Breast screening does not find all breast cancer. But screening has been proven to lower the number of women dying from breast cancer.

The programme offers all women between the ages of 50 and 69 a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) free of charge every 2 years.

All women aged between 50 and 69 who are on the BreastCheck register are invited for breast cancer screening every 2 years.

Your details should automatically be on the register. You can check that your name is on the register or update your details.

You'll first be invited for screening between the ages of 50 and 52. If you are aged between 52 and 69 and you have not yet been offered an appointment, contact BreastCheck directly.

If you are outside of the target age group and avail of breast screening in a private hospital, you will have to pay for the service.

If you have any concerns regarding breast cancer, have a family history of breast cancer or symptoms you are worried about, you should contact your GP who will, if appropriate, refer you to the symptomatic breast services in your area.

There are 4 clinics and 21 mobile screening units. You can find locations for BreastCheck appointments on the HSE website.

BreastCheck compile and maintain a register of women eligible for screening. Your details should automatically be on the register. You can check if you are on the BreastCheck register online.

If you are on not on the register, you will have an option to register.

Contact BreastCheck on freephone 1800 45 45 55 for further information.

The HSE has published detailed information about breast screening and what you can expect at your breast screening appointment (pdf).