BreastCheck screened 38,242 women in 2002

The Government’s breast cancer screening programme tested 38,242 women last year, according to its annual report for 2002.

BreastCheck said 76% of women invited to avail of free breast x-rays took up the offer last year, an increase in the rate recorded in the programme’s first report for 2000/2001.

Up to 306 women tested last year were found to have breast cancer.

The BreastCheck programme began in the Eastern Regional Health Authority, North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas in February 2000.

The programme is currently being expanded nationwide.

Around 1,600 new cases of breast cancer are detected in Ireland every year, with 600 women dying annually from the disease.