Press release

HSE highlights local breast screening service during Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Published: 16 October 2026

Get in touch: Women in Gorey urged to contact BreastCheck if they can’t make it to their appointment

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The HSE’s free breast screening service BreastCheck is now inviting women aged 50-69 in Gorey for their free screening appointment. BreastCheck has 24 mobile units that travel around the country to bring screening close to where women live.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Evidence shows that when breast cancer is found through BreastCheck screening it is likely to be at an earlier stage, when treatment is more effective*. Women who attend their first screening mammogram are more likely to attend every time they are invited and are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a more advanced stage later in life.

Every screening appointment is an important opportunity to look after your health. Almost 40% of women do not attend the first screening appointment they are offered. When women are offered a second appointment, 30% do not attend. The HSE is encouraging women to attend their breast screening appointments or to contact BreastCheck if they need to rearrange.

· If a woman cannot attend her appointment, BreastCheck can offer her screening on another date, or an appointment at a different location. Letting BreastCheck know also means the programme can offer your original appointment to another woman in your community.

· If a woman’s mammogram is due before a BreastCheck mobile unit is in her area, she can ask for an appointment at another BreastCheck unit. She may need to travel further to attend this appointment.

BreastCheck wants to make it as easy as possible for women to attend breast screening. We can support women by:

· offering a different appointment date or time

· offering an appointment at a different location

· providing accessible facilities and resources if you have additional needs

· providing clear, accessible information about breast screening.

Gráinne Gleeson, BreastCheck Programme Manager said: “We can provide options to women who can’t make their appointment. These include rescheduling and offering screening in another unit.

“I’d encourage women to get in touch to discuss their appointment so we can do our best to support them. If you choose not to have screening, please let us know you don’t need your appointment. When you contact us to reschedule or cancel, it means we can screen more women, more quickly and move on to the next area.

“Women can contact us to discuss their appointment using the details on their invitation letter, by phone on 1800 45 45 55 or by emailing info@breastcheck.ie.”

BreastCheck’s mobile unit will stay at Gorey Health Centre, Gorey District Hospital, until all eligible women in the area who are on the BreastCheck register have been invited. BreastCheck send a welcome letter to women that explains the process, followed by an appointment letter. Women who use the HSE Health App also receive screening invitations and reminders digitally, can access information about their appointment and screening location, and manage their appointment more easily.

Gráinne Gleeson added: “If you have never been for breast screening before, please log onto our online register at hse.ie/breastcheck and update your details. This ensures that we have the most up-to-date address information for you and if we have your phone number, we can send text messages to you about your appointments. You can add your details to our register from age 48.”

About BreastCheck

BreastCheck is a free screening service for women aged 50-69 who do not have symptoms of breast cancer. A list of current BreastCheck screening locations is available at hse.ie/breastcheck.

If you have concerns or symptoms concerning your breast health, you should not come for screening and should instead contact your GP for advice. Contact your GP if you notice:

· a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast

· a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts

· bloodstained discharge from either of your nipples

· a lump or swelling in either of your armpits

· dimpling on the skin of your breasts

· a rash on or around your nipple

· a change in how your nipple looks, such as becoming sunken into your breast.

Download the HSE Health App to:

· see your BreastCheck appointment details on the app 

· get reminders about your appointment 

· get information on how to prepare for your appointment.

More information