Breast Screening
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in Northern
Ireland – 1 in 12 will develop breast cancer before the age of 75. Breast cancer can occur at any age.
However, the risk of developing it increases with age, with
most breast cancers occurring in women over
50. If it is found early, there is a good chance of successful recovery.
For
more information view the
leaflet Breast Awareness: Looking out for changes (PDF 223KB)
Every 3 years, women aged 50 to 70 in Northern Ireland are invited for breast screening. This involves a special x-ray known as a mammogram.
For
more information view the
leaflet Breast Screening can save lives (PDF160KB)
Women over 70 are not automatically invited for screening but are encouraged to make their own appointment by contacting their local screening centre. Contact details can be found below.
About 1 in every 20 women needs to return for further tests after a
mammogram (breast x-ray). This does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong – 4 out of 5 women
recalled are given normal results following these tests.
More
information on what
to expect if you are called back for a second visit can be found in the leaflet Why
have I been called back? (PDF 187KB).
If
tests show no abnormality
then you will be given the leaflet, Breast screening: satisfactory
test results – what now? (PDF 309KB)
A standard mammogram may be less effective if a woman has a breast implant,
and therefore women are advised to attend their local screening centre rather than a mobile unit. Breast
screening: what if I have breast implants? (PDF 198KB)
Screening Centres
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
(Also covering South Eastern HSC Trust)
The Screening Centre
12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS
The Screening Centre
12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS
Tel:
028 9033 3700
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Northern Area Breast Screening and Assessment Unit
Level A, Antrim Area Hospital
45 Bush Road, Antrim BT41 2RL
Level A, Antrim Area Hospital
45 Bush Road, Antrim BT41 2RL
Tel:
028 9442 4425
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
The Breast Screening Unit
Lurgan Hospital
Sloan Street, Lurgan BT66 8NX
Lurgan Hospital
Sloan Street, Lurgan BT66 8NX
Tel:
028 3834 7083
Western Health and Social Care Trust
The Breast Screening Unit
Ground Floor, The Nurses’ Home
Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Glenshane Road, Londonderry BT47 6SB
Ground Floor, The Nurses’ Home
Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Glenshane Road, Londonderry BT47 6SB
Tel: 028 7161 1443

