BreastCheck continues to screen women in County Mayo from a fully accessible mobile unit located at Mayo County General Hospital in Castlebar. Screening of eligible women in the 50 to 64 age bracket in Achill, Clare Island, Newport, Westport and Louisburgh is currently under way. Women who are registered are sent appointments with BreastCheck by post.
The Government-funded screening service offers free breast X-rays (mammograms ) to women aged 50 to 64. A BreastCheck X-ray is a simple procedure and the appointment only takes approximately half an hour and is offered to women aged 50 to 64 every two years. The aim of screening is to detect early breast cancer.
The BreastCheck screening service is designed to accommodate all women. Under the BreastCheck Women's Charter, clear commitments are set out to provide equal access for all women including those who may have special needs. These include fully wheelchair accessible BreastCheck mobile units for people with disabilities. A BreastCheck letter of appointment requesting that a woman advises BreastCheck of any special needs in advance of her screening appointment so that arrangements and time can be made to accommodate her. An illustrated “Guide to Breast Screening” for women with an intellectual disability, which is approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency and the National Council for the Blind, is available on request and can also be accessed through their website. Radiographers in all BreastCheck screening units hold a copy. Initiatives and partnerships with special interest groups including the Irish Wheelchair Association and National Council for Blind in Ireland.
Tony O’Brien, CEO, the National Cancer Screening Service, which encompasses BreastCheck, commented: “All women have equal access to BreastCheck. Women with disabilities have access to the breast screening service on the same basis as other women. Our fully accessible mobiles are designed to accommodate all women. Additionally our specially prepared 'Guide to Breast Screening' will help encourage women with intellectual disability to participate in the programme by providing simple and comprehensive illustrated information.”
The BreastCheck programme screens systematically on an area-by-area basis in each service area in County Mayo, reflecting electoral divisions, and appointments are scheduled accordingly and invitation letters sent to registered women to facilitate an organised and efficient screening service amongst the large number of Mayo women eligible for screening. Women in the greater Castlebar area have already been offered a free mammogram. Women in south east Mayo including Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Hollymount and Knock will be screened in November and December 2008.
BreastCheck compiles a register of all women eligible for screening from details supplied by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, general medical services and health insurance providers. Mayo women are encouraged to check they are on the BreastCheck register. They can do so by either freephone on 1800 454 555 or online at www.breastcheck.ie
