'I'm very lucky' - Breast cancer survivor urges women to register for breast check screening

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BreastCheck, the HSE’s free national breast screening programme, is urging every eligible woman to attend her first appointment for breast screening when invited, and to prioritise taking the opportunity for early detection.

A study published in The British Medical Journal finds that women who don’t attend their first breast screening invitation face a higher long-term risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those who do, even though their overall risk of developing cancer is nearly identical.

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The increased mortality is believed to stem from the fact that women who don’t attend their first appointment are less likely to attend subsequent appointments, and this can lead to delays in detecting cancer over their lifetime. Delayed detection can lead to later stage diagnoses and reduce treatment success.

Dr Alissa Connors, BreastCheck Lead Clinical Director said:

“Coming for screening every time you are invited is about ensuring you have every opportunity for early detection, and ultimately survival. This October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our goal is to give every woman the facts so she can make an informed choice - and, we hope, choose to attend breast screening when invited.

“We know that 50 per cent of women don’t attend their first screening appointment. This drops to 25 per cent who don’t attend after their reminder invitation. And yet we also know that when women do attend their first screen, over 85%* of them return again and again.

“We are lucky in Ireland that we have high participation rates in breast screening, but we’d like them to be higher. That’s why we’re working hard to ensure our services are as accessible to people as possible.

“And while we know some women are waiting on their invitations longer than we would like, we are also working hard to get to those who are waiting longest and working with communities for whom our services are harder to reach.

“Attending your first breast screening isn’t just about one appointment - it can influence your chances of survival decades later.”

Dympna Cremin, 66, a retired Special Education Teacher, from Castletroy in Limerick, features in our BreastCheck video reminding women of the importance of attending their screening appointment.

She was diagnosed with grade 2 cancer in December 2021. Three weeks earlier, Dympna’s screening mammogram had shown changes in her breast. During Christmas week she had surgery to remove the lump and began radiotherapy in early spring 2022.

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Dympna said:

‘’I have been for every screening test every time I’ve been invited to since I was 52. I am very grateful it [breast cancer] was found early. I attribute that to BreastCheck. The surgeon confirmed that there was no way I would’ve felt it or found it. I’m very lucky.”

Dympna is keen to encourage women aged 50 to 69 to check they are registered for screening and to go to their follow-up appointments. She said:

“From the moment that this happened to me, I spoke to my friends and anyone who would listen because I felt it was so important to get the message about BreastCheck out there. Please have your checks, please respond to the letters, I was absolutely shocked when some women told me they didn’t go for their screen or their follow-up appointment.

“I think it’s because of fear of getting that result. Screening offers an opportunity to find out if you’re ok, it doesn’t cost money, it’s only a little bit of your time and the mammogram isn’t too difficult, it’s an instant of being uncomfortable. As far as I’m concerned, screening saved my life.”

Gráinne Gleeson, BreastCheck Programme Manager, said:

“Since we began breast screening in Ireland, we have provided over 2.5 million mammograms. This year we will screen over 170,000 women and uptake remains strong at 72% in 2024, above our 70% target.

“It is the aim of our service to offer women their first screening test by age 52, but depending on when we are screening in your area, in some cases women will be 53. After the first mammogram which is so important to attend, we aim to invite women back about every 2 years.

“Ireland’s population is growing, with 100,000 more women eligible for BreastCheck today than six years ago. To meet the needs of women, we are expanding access to screening through innovation and prioritising those waiting longest.

“We have a rolling recruitment campaign to employ more radiographers, and are continuing to review our service and identify areas of improvement to meet the needs of our growing population.

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“BreastCheck provides a holistic end-to-end service for women coming for screening, through to assessment and on to treatment if needed. Our breast screening service is accredited to the highest standard by the European breast screening quality assurance body, EUREF. Adhering to these standards provides reassurance that BreastCheck is committed to providing safe, high-quality care, instilling greater patient satisfaction.’’

How screening works

Most women get a normal result 

BreastCheck offers free mammography screening about every 2 years to women aged 50 to 69 who do not have symptoms of breast cancer. Most women will get a normal result. Approximately 1 in 20 are asked to attend for further assessment, and for every 50 assessments, about 7 women are offered treatment.

Screening is a quick and mostly comfortable 

In our 2024 participant survey (over 10,000 participants), 3 in 4 reported only mild discomfort at screening or none at all. Over 99% say they would return.

We bring screening close to you

We have screening units in Dublin, Cork and Galway, plus 24 mobile units serving 54 locations across Ireland. The best time to attend your screening is when a mobile unit is in your area. Our survey results show that 95% of women agree their appointment was easy to access.

We support access and inclusivity

We can support women who need more time or extra support; provide materials in multiple languages and accessible formats; and supply interpreters or Braille as needed.

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We can help you keep track of your appointment

As well as sending you a letter with your appointment details, you can also access them through the HSE Health App - including location, travel, and helpful information to prepare.

We can help you work out if screening is for you

BreastCheck is intended for women without symptoms. If you notice any of the following, contact your GP immediately - do not wait for your screening appointment:

• a new lump or thickened area
• a change in the shape or size of a breast
• nipple discharge (especially bloodstained)
• a lump in an armpit
• skin dimpling, nipple changes, or a rash around the nipple

It’s easy to get in touch with us if you need to:

• check that you are on the BreastCheck register
• keep your contact details updated
• rearrange your appointment if you can’t attend
• request a longer appointment if needed.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BreastCheck is reinforcing the message: attend your first screening when invited. Early detection saves lives.

Information: Email info@breastcheck.ie or call 1800 45 55 55 for more information.