HEALTH BreastCheck calls out to Mayo women

BreastCheck calls out to Mayo women


Ciara Moynihan

While there is much to grumble about when it comes to the Irish healthcare system, BreastCheck, the free breast-screening programme, certainly is not one of them.
BreastCheck invites women aged 50-64 for a free breast x-ray (mammogram) every two years. This means that women do not have to wait until they find a lump in their breast before being prompted to get potentially life-saving screening – invaluable, considering the earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat and the higher the chance of a good recovery.
The BreastCheck mobile unit, currently located at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, will finish screening women living in Westport, Newport, Achill, Louisburgh and surrounding areas at the end of June. If you missed your last BreastCheck appointment, a second appointment for a screening mammogram will be sent to you by post in the coming weeks.
If you receive an appointment for a time or date that doesn’t suit, don’t just forget about it: You can easily rearrange it by calling the BreastCheck Western Unit on 091 580600.
No matter where you live, if you are a woman aged between 50 and 64, make sure your name is on the BreastCheck register by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or checking online at www.breastcheck.ie. Once on the register and known to the programme, you will automatically receive your invitation for a mammogram when BreastCheck is screening in your area.
If you are not on the BreastCheck register, there are two simple ways to have your details added. You can either register yourself online in the ‘self search and register online’ section of www.breastcheck.ie, or there are self registration forms available from BreastCheck that can be completed and returned by Freepost. These forms are available on request by calling the BreastCheck information line on Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
Screening for women in the Castlebar and Claremorris areas took place last year. All women in Mayo and across the country are offered free breast screening by BreastCheck every two years. It couldn’t be easier, and it could save your life.