The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is appealing to women from poorer communities to avail of free mammograms offered by BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme.

Around 2,700 women are newly diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Ireland and one in 10 women has a chance of developing the disease during their lifetime.

BreastCheck invites women aged 50-64 to attend for free mammograms every two years. An appointment only takes 30 minutes and less than 1% of women who are screened go on to be diagnosed with cancer. However, for those who are diagnosed, early detection and treatment can make a huge difference.

"It is essential that women who are eligible for breast screening attend for their mammograms when invited. Women may be nervous about going for a mammogram or may be concerned about getting a negative result, but the majority of women will be found to be perfectly healthy," explained the ICS's cancer information services manager, Naomi Fitzgibbon.

However, the ICS said that it is concerned about the low uptake rate in some communities and is appealing to all those who have been invited for a mammogram to attend.

"While the incidence of breast cancer is higher among more affluent women, survival rates from breast cancer are lower among more deprived women. We want to ensure that all women in Ireland have access to the information and services they need to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer," explained the ICS's head of advocacy, Kathleen O'Meara.

She said that the ICS would be working with communities and with BreastCheck ‘to ensure that women are availing of the potentially lifesaving screening programme'.

A woman can check if she is on the BreastCheck register by calling 1800 45 45 55 or checking online here. If a woman has turned 50 and has not yet received a letter, she should contact BreastCheck.

Once a woman is registered with the programme, she will automatically receive an appointment when BreastCheck is screening in her area.