SLIGO, IRELAND – BreastCheck, Ireland’s national breast screening program, is issuing a call to women in Sligo to prioritise their free screening appointments, particularly as the mobile screening unit is currently operational on the grounds of Sligo Rovers Football Club.
The national program, which provides free mammography screening to women aged 50-69 every two years, stressed the life-saving potential of early detection.
Dr. Alissa Connors, BreastCheck Lead Clinical Director, emphasised the importance of the program: “Breast screening can save lives. It looks for early signs of breast cancer, when it is too small to see or feel, and when treatment is usually most effective.”
Most eligible women are automatically registered and receive their first invitation around age 52 or 53, depending on local screening schedules. Dr. Connors also provided practical advice for managing appointments:
- Cancellations: If an appointment cannot be attended, women are urged to contact BreastCheck immediately so the slot can be offered to another person.
- Alternative Locations: If the Sligo town location is inconvenient, the BreastCheck office can be contacted to arrange screening at an alternate unit.
- Special Needs: Longer appointments and extra support are available for women with additional needs.
- Late Registration: Women aged 53-69 who have never attended BreastCheck before are encouraged to call, as cancellations may allow them to be scheduled quickly.
BreastCheck’s data indicates that while most women receive a normal result, approximately 1 in 20 are invited back to assessment clinics for further tests. Of those assessed, around seven out of every 50 women will be offered treatment for breast cancer.
Gráinne Gleeson, BreastCheck Programme Manager, highlighted the program’s vital role and commitment to expansion: “Since we began breast screening in Ireland, we have provided over 2.5 million mammograms… We continue to expand access to screening through innovation and prioritise those waiting longest.”
She noted the service’s aim is to offer appointments within the target time of approximately every two years, with a strong uptake of 72% in 2024, exceeding the 70% target. The service is also accredited to the highest European quality standards (EUREF).
Call to Action: Women are reminded that if they are experiencing symptoms—such as a new lump, change in breast size/shape, or nipple discharge—they should contact their GP immediately and not wait for a screening appointment.
Women can check the BreastCheck register or update their details by visiting hse.ie/breastcheck or calling the Freephone line at 1800 45 55 55.
