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Preparing for breast screening mammogram (x-ray) appointment

Phone the breast screening unit before your appointment if you:

  • have breast implants - you may need an extra x-ray to get a clearer picture around the implant
  • are transgender, non-binary or intersex and have questions about your mammogram
  • want someone to go with you to the appointment - such as a carer, someone to interpret for you, a friend, a family member or another member of staff (chaperone)
  • have a pacemaker or another medical device implanted in your body
  • have or had breast cancer - you do not need to a screening mammogram, and we will need to cancel your appointment
  • had a mammogram in the last 12 months - you may need to delay your appointment for radiation safety
  • had both breasts removed (mastectomy)
  • are pregnant, think you could be pregnant or are breastfeeding - you may need to delay your screening mammogram
  • use a wheelchair

To make sure your appointment works for you, we may need to change it. This could include having an appointment that lasts longer or is in a different location.

The breast screening unit contact details are in your appointment letter or in the HSE Health App.

Find breast screening unit contact details

If you have a disability or access needs

If you or someone you care for has a disability or needs support we will take reasonable steps to help you access screening.

How an access officer can help

Contact our access officer if you want:

  • more help understanding screening
  • a sign language interpreter
  • a language interpreter
  • us to phone you if you are blind or are vision impaired
  • information in Braille
  • easy read and photo story information
  • video with subtitles

Contact an access officer

Wheelchair access

Tell the breast screening unit before your appointment if you use a wheelchair.

If your appointment is at a mobile unit, we will tell you if that mobile unit is accessible to your type of wheelchair.

All mobile units have lifts for a wheelchair to access the unit.

The breast screening unit contact details are in your appointment letter or in the HSE Health App.

Find breast screening unit contact details
Accessible parking

Tell the breast screening unit before your appointment if you need accessible parking.

We can tell you if there is accessible parking.

Accessible parking is available close to our 4 units in hospitals.

We try to set up our mobile units in places that have accessible parking.

Hearing aids

All our units have loop systems for people with hearing aids.

If you're transgender, non-binary or intersex

If you have any worries or questions you can contact the unit or BreastCheck information line.

How we can help make your appointment more comfortable for you

Before your appointment, contact the breast screening unit to:

  • tell the staff your pronouns
  • ask for an appointment at the beginning or end of clinic hours to give you more privacy and time to talk to the mammographer (specialist who does your mammogram)
  • ask for a longer appointment if you need it
  • check if you can wait somewhere private if you do not feel comfortable in a waiting room with other people
  • ask to visit the unit before your appointment

You can:

  • bring someone with you to your appointment
  • ask someone else to book the appointment for you if that is more comfortable for you

Breast screening unit contact details are in your appointment letter and in the HSE Health App.

Find breast screening unit contact details

On the day of your appointment

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for a mammogram. But there are things that may help.

Do

  • wear a top that is easy to remove, rather than a dress or jumpsuit, to make it easier to take your clothes off down to your waist

  • remove necklaces and nipple piercingsremove necklaces and nipple piercings

  • tell the staff if you’ve found screening uncomfortable in the past

  • talk to the staff if you are nervous or embarrassed - they are trained to help you feel more comfortable and provide suppor

  • tell the staff if you have difficulty walking or standing so they can help make you comfortable during the screening

  • ask staff not to use any phrases or words that make you uncomfortable or nervous

  • tell the staff your pronouns, if you would like to

Don't

  • do not use deodorant, antiperspirant or talcum powder on the day as this may affect the mammogram

Information:

If you wear a binder, you will need to remove it before having a mammogram.

What happens at your breast screening mammogram appointment

Page last reviewed: 01/06/2026
Next review due: 01/06/2029