BreastCheck

BreastCheck is the national breast screening programme. Screening involves having a mammogram of your breasts. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast.

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.

All women aged 50 to 69 are offered a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) free of charge every 2 years under the BreastCheck programme (pdf).

If you are a woman aged between 50 and 69 and on the BreastCheck register you will be invited for breast cancer screening every 2 years.

BreastCheck invitations

You will first be invited for breast screening when you are between the ages of 50 and 52. Breastcheck will send you a letter inviting you to join the BreastCheck programme. You do not have to reply to the letter.

Breastcheck will then send you a second letter with an appointment for your breast screening, usually within a month.

If you are aged between 52 and 69 and you have not yet been offered an appointment, contact BreastCheck directly.

Breast screening if you are not aged 50-69

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 private health insurance it may help with the cost of a breast screening.

Family history or breast cancer symptoms

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.

Before you arrive at your BreastCheck appointment

You should contact BreastCheck before your appointment if you:

• Have breast implants – you will still be able to have a mammogram
• Had a mammogram recently
• Are breastfeeding or pregnant - you may need to delay screening

Phone the breast screening unit if you need to change or cancel your appointment. The contact details are in your appointment letter.

Where do I go for my Breastcheck appointment?

There are 4 BreastCheck units and 24 mobile screening units. You can find locations for BreastCheck appointments on the HSE website. Depending on where you live, your appointment could be in a BreastCheck unit beside a hospital or in a mobile screening unit.

During your appointment

Your breast screening should last around 30 minutes. You must sign a consent form if it's your first appointment.

You are advised to wear trousers or a skirt as you will be naked from the waist up for your breast screening.

You can read more on the HSE website about the process of Breastcheck.

Check out how a mammogram works and other important information about your breast screening appointment (pdf).

When do I get my BreastCheck results?

You will get a letter with your results within 3 weeks of your mammogram. Your GP will also get your results. Read more about the different results of breast screening on the HSE website.

Find out how you can request your breast screening records from the HSE at any time. Read more about accessing medical records.

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 or update your details.

If you are 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).

You can watch the BreastCheck screening information video from the HSE. This video is available in 25 languages.