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25th August 2025
04:34pm BST
According to a new report by RTÉ, BreastCheck has missed its target for a second year.
The screening service's target for 2024 was 195,000 people, but they only conducted 137,134 checks.
The screening service also missed its target in 2023, with just 166,532 screenings conducted out of 185,000.
A spokesperson for the HSE told RTÉ that the shortage is due to a global shortage of radiology staff.
However, they do plan on expanding capacity.
They told RTÉ:
"Recruiting new consultants and radiographers, adding mobile units, upgrading our IT system, and using new technology such as text reminders.”
The BreastCheck screening service is available to women, transgender, intersex, and non-binary people aged 50 to 69.
The national breast screening programme is free, but you must be living in Ireland and have a PPS number to avail of it.
The HSE will send you a breast screening appointment if you're on the register.
Most eligible people will receive an appointment before they are 52 or 53.
They will then send you an appointment for a screening every two to three years up to the age of 69.
You can join, check, or update the breast screening register from the age of 48.
Find out more here.
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