Northern Trust staff members Joanne McKeefry and Tina Smith with one of the new mobile breast screening units which is currently located at Antrim Area Hospital.
Two new state-of-the-art mobile breast screening units are now operational in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
The facilities feature an updated interior design, leading digital equipment and exterior lifts to assist those with mobility issues.
They are currently located in the grounds of Antrim Area Hospital and Ballymena Health and Care Centre, where they will see up to 50 patients every day before moving to Whiteabbey, Magherafelt and Larne.
Christine Greene, Assistant Clinical Services Manager for Breast Imaging, said:
“We were delighted to receive these new units during the summer. Since then, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many users commenting on the comfort and ease of their experience.
“We understand that attending for a mammogram can be an anxious time but we want to encourage everyone to take up the opportunity of screening when they are invited.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an important opportunity to highlight the importance of coming forward when invited. Breast screening can save lives and early detection is key to this, especially because it is aimed at women who have no apparent symptoms.
“When you come to your appointment, you’ll be met by our professional and friendly staff, and their approach, coupled with the opening of our new units featuring the very latest technology, will help us to provide the best possible service for everyone who comes through our doors.”
Northern Trust staff members Joanne McKeefry and Tina Smith inside the new mobile breast screening unit which is currently located at Antrim Area Hospital.
Dr Tracy Owen, Deputy Director of Public Health at the PHA, welcomed the introduction of the new mobile units. She said:
“It’s great to see the new breast screening units become operational throughout the Northern trust area. This will really help enhance the delivery of this vital service and ensure women have a positive experience when they come for screening.
“While breast cancer can occur at any age, the risk of developing it increases with age and most occur in women over the age of 50. So, we would encourage all those who are invited to consider attending for screening. If breast cancer is found early, there is a better chance that treatment will be successful.”
Individuals aged 50 to 70 who are registered with a GP as female and live in Northern Ireland are invited for a breast screening mammogram every three years.
You should receive your first appointment before your 53rd birthday.
Women aged over 70 years are not automatically invited for screening, but are encouraged to continue attending every three years by phoning their local screening unit and requesting an appointment.
For more information about breast screening services in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust go to www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/breast-screening-services/
For more information on breast cancer, visit www.becancerawareni.info/breast-cancer