Screening for Mother
Looking after yourself, not just your baby
After your baby is born, almost all of the appointments in your diary are for the baby. It is easy to forget that you, too, need ongoing screening as part of staying well. This page covers the main routine screening programmes available to women in Ireland, when to attend, and the importance of keeping up with them.
If you are not sure when your next screening is due, ask your GP at your 6-week postnatal check.
Why keeping up with screening matters
The whole point of screening is to find things before they become a problem. Cervical and breast cancer are very treatable when caught early. Screening:
- Picks up changes that can be treated before they become cancerous.
- Picks up early cancers when treatment is most effective.
- Is free in Ireland through national programmes.
- Takes a very small amount of time, usually under 30 minutes for cervical screening, and similarly brief for breast screening.
A pregnancy or new baby is not a reason to skip screening, and if you missed a screen during pregnancy, your GP or screening service will rebook you.
The two main screening programmes for women
CervicalCheck
What it is: A free screen for changes in the cervix that, if untreated, could develop into cervical cancer. Now uses HPV (human papillomavirus) testing as the primary test.
Who is eligible: Women aged 25 to 65 in Ireland.
How often: Every 3 years for women 25 to 29, every 5 years for women 30 to 65 (frequency varies based on HPV status; the service will advise you).
Where: Free at your GP or at a designated CervicalCheck clinic.
After a baby: Defer until at least 3 months postnatally. If you missed a screen during pregnancy, contact CervicalCheck or your GP to rebook.
More info: cervicalcheck.ie
BreastCheck
What it is: A free breast screen (mammogram) to pick up early breast cancer.
Who is eligible: Women aged 50 to 69 in Ireland.
How often: Every 2 years.
Where: Mobile units and BreastCheck centres around the country. Invitation arrives by post.
After a baby: Most women using BreastCheck are not in the same age range as new mothers. If you are 50 or older and have had a baby, breast screening still applies; speak to your GP about timing in relation to breastfeeding.
More info: breastcheck.ie
Your 6-week postnatal check
Around 6 weeks after the birth, you’ll have a check-up with your GP. This is in addition to the routine screening above, and is specifically about how you have recovered from pregnancy and birth.
The check usually includes:
- Blood pressure, weight, general examination.
- Discussion of any wound healing, pain, bleeding.
- Bladder, bowels, pelvic floor.
- Contraception.
- Mood and emotional wellbeing.
- Feeding.
- Any concerns specific to you.
It is the moment to bring up anything that has been worrying you. Write down questions in advance. You won’t get this dedicated time again for a while, so make use of it.
Breast awareness, every month
The official screening programme starts at 50, but breast cancer can occur in younger women, and knowing your own normal is the best protection.
Once a month, ideally at the same point in your cycle (or any consistent time if not menstruating), look and feel for changes. Tell your GP about anything new or different, including:
- A new lump or thickening.
- A change in breast size or shape.
- Skin changes (puckering, dimpling, redness, rash).
- Nipple changes (a new inversion, discharge, eczema-like changes).
- Persistent breast pain that does not match your cycle.
While breastfeeding, many of these can be related to milk flow, blocked ducts, or mastitis. Most are not cancer. But if anything persists, see your GP. We would rather check than miss something.