Minister calls for increased local access to Breastcheck

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, has said more needs to be done to help prevent cancer going undetected in the Midlands.

While welcoming progress on the provision of BreastCheck services in Longford and Westmeath following recent representations to the HSE, he said there remains a need for "more consistent screening access" for women in the wider Midlands region.

Mobile screening units last operated in Athlone (on the grounds of St Vincent’s Hospital) and Mullingar (at St Mary’s Hospital) in 2024. Minister Burke has now been given assurances by the HSE that Athlone will again be covered by a Breastcheck mobile unit in the first quarter of 2026, while Mullingar is scheduled to have the mobile unit return in the third quarter.

“This update is very welcome, and I know it will come as a relief to many women in Longford and Westmeath who have been anxious about the availability of local breast screening,” he said.

Describing the mobile units as "an essential part" of the national BreastCheck programme, Minister Burke reiterated the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

“When it comes to cancer, early detection saves lives. That means screening must be local, frequent and accessible. I will continue to press the HSE and the Department to expand services in the Midlands, because women in our region should not be disadvantaged compared to those in larger cities.”

BreastCheck is Ireland’s free national breast screening programme, offering mammograms every two years to women aged 50-69 who have no symptoms.

The service can be contacted by freephone on 1800 45 45 55 for further information, or online at www2.hse.ie/conditions/breast-screening/