Approximately 85,600 Irish women aged 50 – 65 have dense breasts (Jan – Dec 2015 breast screening figures). Currently, women in Ireland who choose to participate in the National Breast Cancer Screening Program are not routinely informed of their breast density, and it is not widely discussed by health professionals. Breast density is significant because the sensitivity of mammography to detect breast cancer is significantly reduced in women with dense breasts. High breast density is also one of the strongest independent risk factors for developing breast cancer, and most women are unaware of it. BREAST-PREDICT and Being Dense have invited key local and international experts on breast density to speak at a public seminar, and to participate in a discussion on breast density awareness in Ireland.
Schedule
5pm Tea/Coffee
5.30pm Dr. Maeve Mullooly, RCSI – ‘An overview of breast density, its biology and potential clinical roles’
5.50pm Dr. Paula Gordon, University of British Columbia – ‘Breast Cancer Screening, Prevention & The Importance of Breast Density’
6.35pm Prof. Fidelma Flanagan, BreastCheck – Mammographic screening in Ireland
6.55pm Panel Discussion chaired by Prof. William Gallagher and Siobhán Freeney
7.30pm Close
For further details, please contact:
Dr. Fiona Lanigan – fiona.lanigan@ucd.ie
Dr. Luciana Herda – luciana.herda@ucd.ie