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Screening - Breast cancer in women

Breast screening helps find cancer at an early stage. If it’s found early, it’s easier to treat and there’s a better chance of recovery.

Breast screening involves having a mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to find breast cancer when it is too small to see or feel.

Most results are normal and no cancer is found.

Breast screening does not find all breast cancer. But screening has been proven to lower the number of women dying from breast cancer.

When you should get screened

As the risk of breast cancer increases as you get older, all women between the ages of 50 and 69 are invited to take a mammogram every 2 years.

We will invite you for breast screening once you turn 50. When you get the letter depends on when screening is available in your area.

Your details should automatically go on our register. But, if you haven’t been sent a letter, check your name is on the register or call Freephone on 1800 45 45 55.

Read more about breast screening (BreastCheck)

Important

Always see a GP right away if you have any symptoms of breast cancer


Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE

Page last reviewed: 16 May 2019
Next review due: 16 May 2022

This project has received funding from the Government of Ireland’s Sláintecare Integration Fund 2019 under Grant Agreement Number 123.