The National Cancer Screening Service is pleased to confirm that BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, has returned to Westmeath to provide approximately 2,500 women aged 50-64 with free breast x-rays (mammograms ).
The mobile screening unit is on location in the grounds of St Vincent’s Hospital, Athlone. Women will be invited for their free BreastCheck mammogram by post, starting with women living in Athlone and surrounding areas. The mobile will stay on location until all eligible women aged 50-64 in Westmeath have been offered an appointment.
BreastCheck is a screening service for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. All women aged 50-64 are invited for a mammogram every two years. A mammogram is a simple procedure that only takes minutes and a BreastCheck appointment only takes about half an hour in total. The aim of screening is to detect early breast cancer. The vast majority of women screened are found to be perfectly healthy.
Women who have had a BreastCheck mammogram before are encouraging other women to attend their BreastCheck appointment. Speaking about her personal experience, one woman said the following:
“The nurses in BreastCheck are very friendly and they have a great way of making you feel relaxed. When I got my mammogram the nurse chatted away to me and before I knew it she said it was done. I couldn’t believe it. I was so pleased with myself and I would have no problem having it done again” - Ann.
BreastCheck advises all women aged 50 to 64 to make sure their name is on the BreastCheck register by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or checking online at www.breastcheck.ie Once on the register, a woman will automatically receive her invitation for a mammogram.
If not on the register, there are two simple ways to have your details added; you can register online in the ‘self search and register online’ section of www.breastcheck.ie or there are self registration forms available on request by calling the BreastCheck information line on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
