Breast Screening

Breast screening aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, often before there are any symptoms. To do this, an x-ray is taken of each breast (mammogram). Early detection may often mean simpler and more successful treatment.

Who do we screen?

Females aged 50 to 70

Females aged between 50 and 70 years old are invited for breast screening every three years. All GP registered females will automatically be invited for a breast screening appointment before their 53rd birthday. We invite each GP practice for screening in turn, therefore all females will not necessarily get their invitation in the year that they turn 50.

If you are over 50 and unsure when you will be called for your screening appointment, contact the Breast Screening Office. Tel 028 37560820.

Female over 70

All females over 70 will not automatically be invited to breast screening but are most welcome to arrange their own appointment. Please contact Breast Screening Office Tel: 028 3756 0820.

Special requirements

If you have a disability or use a wheelchair, you may need a longer appointment. Please contact the Breast Screening Office to let us know.

Please also contact the office if you have had a mammogram in the last six months:

• Breast Screening Office Tel: 028 3756 0820

If English is not your first language and you need a translator please contact the screening office.

Your appointment date

When you receive your letter, you will be given a date, time and location for your appointment. Please contact call us on 028 37560820 or email breast.screening@southerntrust.hscni.net if:
• your appointment time is not convenient for you
• you do not wish to attend your screening appointment. This will allow someone else to use the appointment slot

Breast Symptomatic Clinic

The Southern Trust provide a breast symptomatic service for anyone with breast symptoms referred from their GP. Our breast symptomatic service is located in the Glenanne Unit in Craigavon Area Hospital.

The breast unit provides a triple assessment consisting of:

A breast clinical examination- your breasts would be examined by a trained specialist, you can explain your symptoms and concerns.
Breast Imaging, our unit has specialised imaging available such as a mammogram (x-ray), 3D imaging (x-ray) and ultrasound.
Breast Biopsy- Only if required, the unit can take a biopsy of an area under investigation.
Pathology- Our breast unit have pathologists to provide results on biopsies taken.

Our breast team are highly trained specialists if you have any questions please contact our breast screening office – Tel. 028 37560820

Review, Self-Directed Aftercare and Family History

We also provide mammograms for anyone under yearly review, self-directed after care and family history pathways. This service is tailored for each individual where they are invited to attend for yearly mammograms.

For further information on radiology, visit radiology.

Mobile Units

In the SHSCT breast screening is provided on either of our two mobile units or within the Glenanne unit in Craigavon Area Hospital. Our mobile units rotate between, Lurgan Hospital, Dromalane Newry, Armagh Community Hospital, Banbridge Health Centre and South Tyrone Hospitals. Details of the dates and locations are available at www.cancerscreening.hscni.net

75% of women attend their appointment but there is still room for improvement.

“We want to save as many lives as possible by encouraging early detection of breast cancer, so to help make the process much more convenient and accessible to women, we are bringing the units to more community locations throughout the Trust area.”
Dr Linda Johnston – Director of Breast Screening

Please note: The mobile unit is very compact, therefore females with appointments only will be permitted on the mobile. If it is essential to have a friend / relative accompany you please contact the breast screening unit.

Assessment

Sometimes the mammograms do not give enough information and a further examination is needed before we can decide on a result. If this is the case you will receive an appointment to attend our assessment clinic at the Glenanne Unit Craigavon Area Hospital.

Approximately 4 out of 100 women who have breast screening will be asked to come back to our clinic for a further examination. This additional appointment is part of routine screening and for most women invited back nothing of concern will be found. Any women invited to an assessment clinic will be able to speak to a member of staff by telephone 028 3756 0820 if they want more information before attending.

Video for Women with learning disabilities

Breast Screening – A film produced by and for women with learning disabilities to explain what’s involved in and for some clients, to ease the fear of having a mammogram.
Whilst breast screening is always an individual choice, the film is intended to ease the fear that some women may experience in attending a breast screening and to encourage women with learning disabilities have the test.

The film can be watched in full, or in short segments, showing different aspects of the screening journey;

Monthly Screening

ABBEY COURT SURGERY DOBBIN LANE ARMAGH	DR MARSHALL DR MCCLUNG DR NICHOLSON DR MOORE DR BINGHAM DR CHEUNG	1006	31.05.24 – 9.07.24	Breast Screening Unit Digital Mobile Armagh Community Hospital Tower Hill Site Armagh
THE FRIARY SURGERY DOBBIN LANE ARMAGH	DR O’HAGAN DR R O’REILLY DR S O’REILLY DR MORIARTY DR MCALEAVEY DR BARR DR HEWITT DR MORRISON	1114	01.07.24 – 27.08.24	Breast Screening Unit Digital Mobile Armagh Community Hospital Tower Hill Site Armagh
TYNAN SURGERY 3 DARTAN REE TYNAN ARMAGH	DR CARLISLE DR MCALINDEN DR GRANT DR MCILHATTON	738	28.08.24 – 24.09.24	Breast Screening Unit Digital Mobile Armagh Community Hospital Tower Hill Site Armagh