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 Southern Trust, 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 Hospital. Details of the dates and locations are available on the NI Direct website.

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

GP Practice	GPs	Number of eligible women invited	Screening dates	Location
Portadown Family Practice O’Connor/Morgan Portadown Health Centre Tavanagh Ave Portadown Co Armagh	Dr O’Connor Dr O Morgan Dr S Morgan Dr Lee Dr Henry Dr Lusty Dr McCleary Dr Lee Dr Smyth Dr Spence	1282	07.05.26 – 15.06.26	Breast Screening Unit Car Park Lurgan Hospital Sloan Street Lurgan
Dr Burnett + Partners Tavanagh Ave Hc (Burnett) The Health Centre Tavanagh Ave Portadown	Dr Burnett Dr MacDonald Dr Evans Dr Geary	1065	16.06.26 – 14.07.26	Breast Screening Unit Car Park Lurgan Hospital Sloan Street Lurgan
Riverside Practice Portadown Health Sc Centre 90 Meadow Lane Portadown Co Armagh	Dr Mulligan Dr Cuthbertson Dr Pope Dr Gudyma Dr Buchanan Dr Magill Dr Smith Dr Gilbert Dt Osondu Dr Zahid	1675	15.07.26-31.08.26	Breast Screening Unit Car Park Lurgan Hospital Sloan Street Lurgan
Cornmarket Surgery Drs Mulvanney+ Flood Newry Health Village Monaghan Street Newry	Dr Flood Dr McGrady Dr Fegan Dr O’Hanlon Dr Dorman	827	19.05.26 – 17.06.26	Breast Screening Unit Digital Mobile Drumalane House Drumalane Road Newry Co Down
The Health Centre Summerhill Warrenpoint Newry	Dr Murdock Dr McCreesh Dr Gilsenan	633	17.06.26 – 23.07.26	Breast Screening Unit Digital Mobile Drumalane House Drumalane Road Newry Co Down
Marina Surgery 15 Havelock Place Warrepoint	Dr Bonner Dr Ortega-Sipan	372	23.07.26 – 31.07.26	Breast Screening Unit Digital Mobile Drumalane House Drumalane Road Newry Co Down