BreastCheck – The National Breast Screening Programme is a Government-funded service that provides free breast x-rays (mammograms) to women aged 50 to 64 every two years. Eligible women are screened sequentially on an area by area basis (reflective of electoral divisions) and appointments are scheduled to ensure organised and efficient screening. The aim of BreastCheck is to detect and treat breast cancer at the earliest possible stage.  

Service standards and quality assurance systems are in place throughout BreastCheck. These high level standards are in line with international guidelines to ensure that the best service is provided to women. A specialist BreastCheck multi-disciplinary team provides the screening service to women. Quality assurance standards in operation include the double reading of all mammograms by two separate specially trained radiologists, the use of triple assessment for women that need further investigation and the continuing audit and maintenance of all equipment used. In April 2008 BreastCheck became the first national screening service provider worldwide to offer a fully digital mammography service.

BreastCheck compiles a register of women eligible for screening from information supplied by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, General Medical Services and private health insurance providers. BreastCheck encourages all women aged 50 to 64 to check that they are on the BreastCheck register by contacting BreastCheck on Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or checking online at www.breastcheck.ie.

The BreastCheck Eccles Unit (located adjacent to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital) and four attached mobile digital screening units provide the screening service to women living in North and County Dublin, Cavan, Carlow Kilkenny, Longford, Louth, Meath Monaghan, Offaly and Westmeath.

The BreastCheck Merrion Unit (located adjacent to St Vincent’s University Hospital) and four attached mobile digital screening units screen women living in South and County Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Wexford and Wicklow.

In December 2007 screening began from two new purpose built screening units in Cork and Galway to serve women living in the South and West of the country. The BreastCheck Southern Unit (located adjacent to South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital) and four attached mobile digital screening units serve women living in Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary South and Waterford.

The BreastCheck Western Unit (located on the campus of University College Hospital Galway) and four attached mobile digital screening units serve women living in Counties Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary North.

To date in the south and the west, screening has been extended to Counties Cork, Galway, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon, Tipperary North, Tipperary South and Waterford.

Further information on BreastCheck and screening schedules can be found at www.breastcheck.ie.

BreastCheck contact details:

Freephone 1800 45 45 55

Email: info@breastcheck.ie