BreastCheck Mobile Screening Unit now Available at Sligo Rovers Football Club
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A mobile BreastCheck unit is currently operating on the grounds of Sligo Rovers Football Club, offering free breast cancer screening to eligible women. The initiative aims to increase access to vital screenings, particularly as demand rises with a growing population.
The national screening program automatically registers most women, who are then invited for screening between the ages of 52 and 53.Early detection is critical, as breast screening can identify signs of cancer when they are too small to be felt, increasing the effectiveness of treatment.
Prioritizing Access and Reducing Wait Times
Ireland’s BreastCheck program has faced increasing pressure due to a growing population. According to a program manager, over 2.5 million mammograms have been provided sence the program’s inception, and the number of women eligible for screening has increased by 100,000 in the last six years.
To address this challenge,the program is actively expanding access through innovation and prioritizing those who have been waiting the longest for appointments. “We’re putting on extra screening sessions and recruiting more staff to get to everyone as quickly as possible,” a senior official stated.Currently, 7 in 10 women are being offered a screening within the target timeframe of approximately every two years.
Understanding Your screening Results
BreastCheck utilizes screening mammograms – X-rays of the breast – for women aged 50-69, typically offered every two years. While most results are normal, approximately 1 in 20 women are invited back for further assessment. Of those called for assessment, around 7 out of 50 will ultimately be offered treatment for breast cancer.
It’s crucial to remember that screening is for those without symptoms. individuals experiencing any of the following should contact their general practitioner promptly:
- A new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast
- A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- Bloodstained discharge from either nipple
- A lump or swelling in either armpit
- Dimpling on the skin of the breast
- A rash on or around the nipple
- A change in the appearance of the nipple, such as inversion
Flexibility and Support for Patients
BreastCheck is committed to providing a patient-centered experience. Appointments can be rearranged if the Sligo location is unsuitable, and longer appointments or additional support are available for those with specific needs. Women aged 53 to 69 who have never participated in breastcheck are encouraged to call for potential inclusion in the program should cancellations occur.
The program boasts a strong uptake rate of 72% in 2024, exceeding its 70% target.This success is underpinned by the program’s accreditation to the highest quality standard by the European breast screening quality assurance body, EUREF. This year, BreastCheck aims to scree
