BreastCheck, the HSE National Breast Screening Programme, which offers population-based breast screening to eligible women on an area-by-area basis every two years, lost a year of screening time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The programme was paused, between March and the end of October 2020 and January and March 2021, to protect participants and staff and to prevent the spread of the virus. This pause, together with Covid-19 infection control measures, means that women are waiting longer for their appointments.
Since March 2021, breast screening services have been operating nationwide. However, appointments in this screening round (whereby women are invited for screening once every two years ) are delayed by up to a year. This means that if a woman was due to be screened in 2021, the HSE will now aim to invite her to attend screening this year.
Regional BreastCheck centres are located at Newcastle Road in Galway, Eccles Street, and Merrion Road in Dublin, and Infirmary Road in Cork. However, not all eligible women wish, or are able, to travel to one of these regional units.
Fiona Murphy, the chief executive of the national screening service, said it was important to BreastCheck to offer screening to women which was convenient to their locations.
“To achieve this, each of the four screening units operates in tandem with mobile units. The majority of women participating in BreastCheck have their mammogram in one of these units.”
Replying to a question at a recent meeting of the HSE West’s regional health forum, she said a new mobile unit was added to the national BreastCheck fleet in 2021. A further two mobile units have been commissioned to facilitate screening appointments around the country. Breast screening locations are updated regularly online.
The BreastCheck western unit, which is located at the rear of University Hospital Galway at Newcastle Road, screens women from Galway city, Gort, Ballinasloe, and surrounding areas.
“Women can contact us and we will endeavour to find the most suitable location, date, and time for them to attend.”
She emphasised that BreastCheck is a screening service for well women aged 50 to 69 years and is not for those with breast symptoms.
“If a person has any concerns or symptoms concerning their breasts, they should not attend screening and should instead contact their GP who will give them the appropriate advice.”
Being breast aware was very important, she said. “This means knowing what is normal for women so that if any unusual change occurs, they will recognise it. The sooner they notice a change, the better, because if cancer is found early, treatment is more likely to be successful. It is important for women to get into the habit of looking at and feeling their breasts at least on a monthly basis.”
Further information on techniques for checking your breasts is available on www.breastcheck.ie Women in the west who have additional questions regarding breast screening should contact the BreastCheck western unit at (091 ) 580600 Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm or Freephone 1800 45 45 55 from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; or email [email protected]
