Updated 25th April 2025

Each year 3700 people are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Ireland.  Over our lifetime 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. 

There are 690 deaths from Breast Cancer annually. 

Currently, free Breast Screening is available to women age between 50 - 69 years - but this only accounts for 34% of women diagnosed, meaning 66% of the 3700  people diagnosed didn't meet age criteria for screening. 

We need to make a change. 

There are 4 important areas I would like to make change in the area of Breast Health Screening:
1. Lower the age of Breast Check to 40 - which will provide women with an opportunity to avail of a free mammogram from the age of 40 - 69 instead of 50 - 69;

2. For GP's to provide free physical breast examination to women when they are attending for their pill check-up appointment (this will ensure women know how to properly check their breasts and understand the importance of checking their breasts regularly);

3. Improved education on Breast Health - by including an information session in the SPHE Curriculum for Senior Cycle Students.

4. When a girl in her 20/30’s attends the Breast Clinic with a sign of Breast Cancer after being referred by their GP they are scanned that day and not sent away with the promise of an appointment as this can take over 6 months 

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer age 36; I had 3 tumours and severe indentation but was not Breast Aware and it was only by chance I found 1 lump that caused my GP to refer
me on to St James, I was extremely lucky.  I feel that had I been more educated and had a breast examination from a GP when i was younger, I would have been more aware and vigilant with my Breast Health and perhaps found my cancer earlier. 

As many of you will be aware I created Breast Friends (online support community). The majority of girls that contact me and are members of the group are under the age of 50 with lots of members being in their 20's.  Breast Cancer is not just an illness that effects the over 50's it is an illness that can happen to anyone at any age. 

Please sign this to help support this important campaign - EARLY DETECTION IS KEY IN THE SUCCESSFUL FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER.