|
Breast
cancer is the most common form of cancer among women
in Northern
Ireland – with 1 in 12 developing it before the age
of 75. It can develop at any time but is more common in
women over 50. If detected at any early stage there is
a good chance of successful recovery.
Pivotal to detection is the Northern Ireland Breast Screening
Programme. Through this programme all women aged 50 to 64
years are called for breast screening (mammogram) every three
years by local screening centres.
Women aged 65 or over are not automatically called for screening,
but can make an appointment through their local screening
centre.
In order to increase the uptake of information and interventions
offered to protect and maintain the health of women in the
target group, a new range of breast screening/awareness leaflets
was produced by the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) on behalf
of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
(DHSSPS).
The four leaflets are issued by local screening centres
with some also available from GP surgeries. Breast screening:
Your early warning system invites women for breast screening,
Breast awareness: Looking out for changes is used when the
mammogram shows no sign of abnormality to encourage continuing
vigilance. Breast screening: What to expect at your second
visit is used in conjunction with a letter that notifies
women of a result that requires further investigation while Satisfactory
test results - what now? is issued to women
whose second test has shown no abnormality.
The breast
screening initiative is part of the HPA’s
health protection programme, which aims to promote and maintain
public health and wellbeing by raising awareness, increasing
knowledge and facilitating positive decision-making in relation
to a range of public health measures, including antenatal
screening, immunisation, antibiotics and handwashing.
|
