Another Woman's Health Issue in Ireland. Rarely discussed and not routinely reported to the Women affected, or their GPs. 

A failure by our National Screening Service to communicate a Radiological Finding to Women. A finding that can significantly compromise Women’s Breast Cancer Screening Results.

More Women, (1 in 8) are diagnosed with Breast Cancer than any other type of Cancer. Early Detection of Cancer is crucial. Finding Breast Cancer, small, before it has spread into the lymph nodes or other organs is critical, leading to better prognosis, fewer Mastectomies and less harsher, toxic treatments. 

Breast Density is an Independent Risk Factor for developing Breast Cancer.

• Breast Density is the amount of fibroglandular tissue Vs fatty breast tissue as seen and determined on a Woman's Mammogram. 
• The higher the amount of Breast Density the higher the risk. 
• There are 4 categories of Breast Density A - D, categories C and D are considered to Mammographically Dense Breasts.
• If you have Dense Breasts you should know, you will need additional Imaging - Ultrasound or MRI, along with your Mammogram. 
• As many as 50% of Breast Cancers are missed on Mammograms of Women with Dense Breasts.

 

 

 

 

 

Breast Density shows as white areas on a Mammogram, Breast Cancer also shows as white areas on Mammograms. 

This 'White on White effect' is referred to as 'Masking'. It is often likened to "looking for a snow ball in a snow storm" - almost impossible to distinguish one from the other.

This is a cause of 1 in 2 Breast Cancers missed on Mammograms of Women with Dense Breasts.

Women need to be Notified about their Category of Breast Density. 

Not telling a Woman about her Breast Density, as seen on her Mammogram, may put her at risk of a delayed diagnosis.

Breast Density cannot be felt, it's not palpable and it's not the same as having lumpy breasts. Breast Density can only be assessed by having a Mammogram.

40% of Women have Dense Breasts

Dense Breast Tissue is normal, but it's vital that Women are aware of the associated risks.

Currently in Ireland, women are NOT routinely notified about their Breast Density or the associated risks. Women with Dense Breasts are not routinely offered essential, additional Imaging.

The EU Recommendations from EUSOBI: The European Society of Breast Imaging 

European Recommendations for women to be Notified about Breast Density and MRI for women with Extremely Dense Breasts

These recommendations need to be implemented fully by our National Screening Service, now.

Women cannot know they have Dense Breasts, if they are not told. 

We want ALL women to be informed of their Category of Breast Density. When Women know, they can be involved in decisions about their Personal Breast Cancer Screening and benefit from additional, essential Imaging when and as appropriate.

This Irish Times article gives a recent update and endorses the importance of this Petition 

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) make recommendations to the Minister for Health in relation to changes within the National Screening Service (NSS)

Our Submission, invited by Minister Stephen Donnelly was delivered to the NSAC in December 2021, so far they have failed to act on it.

Please sign our Petition today and add your voice to our efforts, to ensure that the NSS introduce a protocol, as a matter of urgency, ensuring ALL Women are appropriately informed and notified about their Breast Density and additional, essential Imaging.

It will save lives and reduce Interval Cancers.

Thank you �