Last few weeks of screening round in Portlaoise - ending April 2012

20 March 2012

BreastCheck – The National Breast Screening Programme is issuing a final reminder encouraging women aged 50 to 64 to avail of their invitation to attend for their free breast mammogram (x-ray) in the BreastCheck mobile digital screening unit in the Cuisle Centre, Block Road, Portlaoise.

BreastCheck have offered invitations to avail of a free mammogram to women aged 50 to 64 across the county including Abbeylix, Borris-in-Ossory, Durrow, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Stradbally and Vicarstown, on an area-by-area basis. If the appointment time or date doesn’t suit, a woman can easily change it by calling BreastCheck on (01) 2235800.

A BreastCheck mammogram is a simple procedure and the appointment only takes half an hour in total. BreastCheck urges any woman who receives an invitation for a free BreastCheck mammogram to attend her appointment.  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 breast cancer.

BreastCheck encourages all women aged 50 to 64 living in Laois to check that they are on the BreastCheck register by calling Freephone 1800 45 45 55 or checking online at www.breastcheck.ie. Once registered and known to the Programme they will automatically receive an appointment when BreastCheck is screening in their area.

BreastCheck encourages all women, regardless of age or participation in screening to remain breast aware at all times and to contact their GP without delay if they have any concerns regarding breast cancer.

Be breast aware

No matter what age you are, it is important to always be breast aware.

• Know what is normal for your body.
• Know what changes you should look for.

What changes should I look and feel for?

• Any lumps or unusual thickening in your breast
• Dimpling, puckering or redness of the skin
• A nipple that appears to be pulled-in or flattened
• A rash or flaky or crusted skin around the nipple
• A change in the size or shape of your breast
• Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone
• Constant pain in one part of your breast or armpit

-Ends-

Further Information:
Aoife O’Sullivan, Communications, National Cancer Screening Service
Tel: 01 8659300