HSE’s BreastCheck encourages women to choose screening

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), BreastCheck - the HSE’s free national breast screening programme - is highlighting one woman’s story of how her breast cancer was diagnosed following screening.

BreastCheck invites women aged 50 to 69 for a free screening breast x-ray, called a mammogram, in their local area. If their result shows that a follow-up appointment is needed, we offer women swift access to onward assessment and treatment. Breast cancer is the second most common invasive cancer in women in Ireland. Around 3,400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ireland every year and about a third of these cancers are detected through screening.

Dymphna’s BreastCheck story

Screening helps find breast cancer early when treatment can be easier and more effective. Dympna Cremin, 66, a retired Special Education Teacher, from Castletroy in Limerick, features in a new video about BreastCheck. She was diagnosed with grade 2 cancer in December 2021. Three weeks earlier, Dympna’s screening mammogram had shown changes in her breast. During Christmas week she had surgery to remove the lump and began radiotherapy in early spring 2022.

Dympna explains: “I have been for every screening test every time I’ve been invited to since I was 52. I went along for this one in a mobile unit in Limerick city. When I saw the BreastCheck result letter on the doormat I assumed this was the usual ‘nothing found’ but it was offering me a follow-up appointment.”

Offered her follow up assessment in Breastcheck Southern Unit, Cork, she tells how: “I had another mammogram and ultrasound; the doctor told me she could see something and asked if she could take a needle biopsy. It wasn’t that uncomfortable; they did their very best to make sure it wasn’t too sore.

“I was taken in to meet the surgeon. He showed me the latest mammogram compared to my previous mammogram from nearly three years earlier and pointed out where it had changed. He said he was fairly certain that he was looking at cancer and that it was at a very early stage.”

A week later the biopsy result confirmed cancer, and Dympna was offered surgery to remove the lump on 21 December, during a day procedure in Cork University Hospital.

Dympna says: “It was a godsend it would be done so quickly. Everything was my decision, and once I had all the facts, I could make informed decisions. Afterwards, my surgeon was positive the operation had gone well. The only difference on Christmas Day was that my family rowed in and I did less cooking. It was great. I was tired but glad the surgery wasn’t hanging over me.”

After surgery, Dympna had a course of radiotherapy and now takes oestrogen supressing medication every day. She also has a mammogram every year.

“I am very grateful it was found early,” Dympna continues. “I attribute that to BreastCheck. The surgeon confirmed there was no way I would’ve felt it or found it. I’m very lucky.” Dympna is keen to encourage women aged 50 to 69 to make sure they are registered for screening and to go to their follow-up appointments.

She adds: “From the moment this happened to me I spoke to my friends and anyone who would listen because I felt it was so important to get the message about BreastCheck out there. Please have your checks, please respond to the letters, I was absolutely shocked when some women told me they didn’t go for their screen or their follow-up appointment.

“I think it’s because of fear of getting that result. Screening offers an opportunity to find out if you’re ok, it doesn’t cost money, it’s only a little bit of your time and the mammogram isn’t too difficult, it’s an instant of being uncomfortable. As far as I’m concerned, screening saved my life.”

BreastCheck

Suzanne Lynch, BreastCheck Programme Manager, says: “During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are encouraging women to choose screening and take up their BreastCheck appointment when they are invited. If you’re aged from 50 to 69 we will invite you when we’re next screening women in your area. We aim to invite you for your first screening test by age 52 and every two years after that, up to the age of 69. Some women may be 53 when they are offered their first appointment and some will have three years between appointments, depending on when we are screening in your area.

“If you can’t attend, please contact us to let us know. We can offer your appointment to another woman and make it easier for you to choose screening. For example, we can reschedule the time or location, or offer longer appointments. If you have concerns after being called for screening or further assessment please use the details on your letter to get in touch and we will answer any questions you have.

“We have lots of information resources available online that can be useful for people who want to understand more about screening by using stories and pictures.

Read more about how we’re making BreastCheck work for everyone

Dr Alissa Connors, Clinical Director BreastCheck, explains: “Dympna’s story shows how taking part in screening every time you are invited allows us to build up a picture of your breast health over time, making it easier to identify changes. We’re very grateful to Dympna for sharing her experience. We know that a diagnosis of cancer is life-changing; however, when it is found through screening it is usually at an earlier stage, before symptoms have started and when treatment outcomes and survival rates are better.

“About 1 in 20 women are called back for follow-up assessment after their BreastCheck screening mammogram. This does not always mean that there is something wrong. It could be that the mammogram indicates something that needs to be looked at more closely, and these are often found to be normal.”

To make sure you are invited for screening when we are in your area we need your up-to-date details on our register. You can update your information online or by calling us on Freephone 1800 454 555.

Check if you are registered for screening.

Screening is for well women who do not have any symptoms of breast cancer. No screening test is 100% reliable. Changes can also happen between screening tests.

If you have symptoms, do not wait for your screening appointment - contact your GP without delay. These symptoms can include:

• any lumps or unusual thickening in either 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 either nipple
• a change in the size or shape of your breast
• swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone.

More information on checking your breasts is available on hse.ie/breastcheck

For more information about breast screening, visit hse.ie/breastcheck or Freephone 1800 45 45 55.