20/03/2003

Women urged to take part in breast screening

Women aged between 50 and 64 have been urged to participate in the breast-screening programme.

The Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Henrietta Campbell, was speaking at today's launch of three new breast screening information leaflets: 'Your Early Warning System'; 'Looking For Changes'; and 'What to Expect at Your Second Visit'.

The breast-screening programme is also set to be extended by April 2006 and will include all women aged between 50 and 70.

Highlighting the importance of the breast-screening programme, Dr Campbell said: “Breast screening can help detect breast cancer at an early stage before there are any signs or symptoms. This is very important for successful recovery from the disease, as breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. One-in-twelve women here will develop breast cancer before the age of 75.”

Breast screening was first introduced to Northern Ireland in 1989. The programme invites women aged between 50 and 64 for screening every three years.

Over 800 women are diagnosed each year with breast cancer with approximately 240 of these picked up through the screening programme.

Around 300 people die each year from breast cancer and in 2001 86 deaths due to breast cancer were in the screening age range.

The three new leaflets are available on the DHSSPS website www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

(GMcG)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 November 2024
Three Arrested in L'Derry For Drug Offences
Police in L'Derry have arrested three people and seized drugs worth an estimated £600. The arrests were made following a proactive policing operation in the city. On Monday, 18 November, officers observed suspicious behaviour from a 39-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman in the Strand Road area.
19 November 2024
Three Arrested In Connection With £250,000 Drug Seizure
Detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit have made a significant drug seizure, arresting three individuals and recovering approximately £250,000 worth of suspected Class B controlled drugs. The arrests were made on Monday, 18 November, following a series of operations.
19 March 2009
Older Women To Get Breast Scans
Women up to the age of 70 will be invited for breast screening under new plans just announced by NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey. Up to now only women aged between 50 and 64 have been routinely invited to attend screening. Currently approximately 150,000 women are invited for screening.
26 July 2022
Health Minister Highlights 'Crucial Importance' Of Cancer Screenings
The Health Minister Robin Swann has highlighted the crucial importance of cancer screening, urging people to attend screenings when they are invited to do so. Minister Swann visited a Mobile Breast Screening Unit at Dromalane House in Newry.
18 May 2006
NI's radiology service to be 'strengthened'
Health Minister Paul Goggins has said action is being taken to increase the numbers of radiologists in the health service in Northern Ireland. The move follows the publication of a review of the Northern Ireland Breast Screening programme conducted by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA).