Detecting breast cancer and other breast conditions early gives the best chance of successful treatment. The Northern Ireland Breast Screening Programme provides free breast screening every three years for all women aged 50 and over.
Women aged 50 to 70, who are registered with a GP, are invited for breast screening every three years. Your local screening centre or primary care trust should contact you and arrange an appointment before your 53rd birthday.
Women aged over 70 are not routinely invited for breast screening, but are still entitled to breast screening and can call their local breast screening unit to request screening every three years.
Breast screening is a way of detecting breast cancer at a very early stage. The first step involves an x-ray of each breast – a mammogram – which is taken while carefully compressing the breast. The mammogram can detect small changes in breast tissue which may indicate cancers that are too small to be felt either by the woman herself or by a doctor.
There are a number of organisations providing information and support for women with breast cancer or other breast related problems. Breast Cancer Care offers a free help, information and support service. Call the free helpline on 0808 800 6000 or visit the website.
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