The Public Health Agency has established a breast screening programme that covers all of Northern Ireland. Women aged 50 to 70, who are registered with a GP, are invited every three years.

Referral by GP

Your GP can refer you to the breast assessment service. Most people will still be seen in their nearest hospital, but if there is a shorter waiting time, you could be offered an appointment in any of the hospitals in Northern Ireland.

At the breast assessment service, a member of the Breast Care nurse team will call your name and take you into a consultation room. The breast specialist will examine your breasts and the lymph nodes in your armpits and if required you will have a scan (mammogram or ultrasound), or a biopsy on the same day.

If you have been referred because of a family history of breast cancer, you will be asked to complete a family history questionnaire prior to attendance at the clinic in order that an assessment of your risk can completed.

Breast Family History resources are available to provide further information and guidance.