BREASTCHECK DEVELOPS MANUAL FOR WOMEN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
- 04 October 2007
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme has developed an information guide about breast screening for women with intellectual disabilities.
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme has developed an information guide about breast screening for women with intellectual disabilities.
'A Guide to Breast Screening' is an illustrated manual that aims to help women understand for themselves what is involved in a BreastCheck appointment. The Government funded BreastCheck service provides free breast cancer screening for women aged between 50 and 64 on an area by area basis.
'A Guide to Breast Screening' also includes a section Information for Carers, Family, Friends and Medical Guardians of Care for those who care for women and includes necessary information on BreastCheck and what participation in screening requires. All BreastCheck screening units are fully accessible to people with disabilities.
BreastCheck asks that women notify in advance of any special needs to ensure all requirements are fully met and sufficient appointment time is provided.
Commenting on the manual, Sheila Caulfield of BreastCheck said: "Women with intellectual disabilities should have access to breast screening on the same basis as other women. The purpose of this guide is to help encourage their participation in the programme as much as possible by providing simple and comprehensive illustrated information".
A BreastCheck x-ray is a simple procedure that takes approximately half an hour. The aim of screening is to detect early breast cancer. The vast majority of women screened are found to be perfectly healthy with less than one per cent diagnosed with cancer. BreastCheck is currently available in the North East, East, Midlands and South East of the country and is in the process of expanding the service nationwide into counties in the South and West later this year.
BreastCheck is currently screening women in a number of locations and full screening details can be found on www.breastcheck.ie
Women can find more information, register for BreastCheck, or check that they are on the register at www.breastcheck.ie/ssregister/index.php or by calling freephone 1800 45 45 55.
Samples of 'A Guide to Breast Screening' can be accessed on the BreastCheck website or copies of the guide can be requested by calling BreastCheck on freephone 1800 45 45 55.