Know your breasts, and attend for screening when invited – it could save your life

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and encouraging everyone to be breast aware throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month which runs throughout October. Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in Northern Ireland. It can occur at any age, but the risk of developing it increases with age. Dr Louise Herron, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, said: “Breast cancer accounts for 30 percent of all cancer in women in Northern Ireland, with around 1,500 cases a year. As the risk increases with age and most cases

Breast screening

The breast screening programme covers the whole of Northern Ireland. The programme invites women by GP practice every three years. A woman might be aged 50, 51 or 52 when she receives her first invite to attend – the first invitation will be before the age of 53.

In order to be invited women must ensure that their GP has their correct name and current address on their computer system.