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Published: 03 October 2024

“I’m very grateful my cancer was found early, I attribute that solely to BreastCheck”

Dympna Cremin, recording her video to tell her story about breast screening

In 2021 Dympna Cremin was diagnosed with breast cancer after a screening mammogram with BreastCheck. After having successful surgery and radiotherapy Dympna is now sharing her story to encourage other women to make informed decisions about their health and breast screening, and to go for screening every time they’re invited.

Dympna Cremin, 66, a retired Special Education Teacher, from Castletroy in Limerick, features in a new video about BreastCheck. She was diagnosed with grade 2 cancer in December 2021. Three weeks earlier, Dympna’s screening mammogram had shown changes in her breast. During Christmas week she had surgery to remove the lump and began radiotherapy in early spring 2022.

Dympna says: “I have been for every screening test every time I’ve been invited since I was 52. When I saw the BreastCheck result letter on the doormat I assumed this was the usual ‘nothing found’ but it was offering me a follow-up appointment in Cork’s Southern Unit.

“I had another mammogram and ultrasound; the doctor told me she could see something and asked if she could take a needle biopsy. They did their very best to make sure it wasn’t too sore.

“The surgeon showed me the latest mammogram compared to my previous mammogram from nearly three years earlier and pointed out where it had changed. He said he was fairly certain that he was looking at cancer and that it was at a very early stage.”

A week later the biopsy result confirmed cancer, and Dympna was offered surgery to remove the lump during a day procedure in Cork University Hospital.

Dympna says: “It was a godsend that it would be done so quickly. Everything was my decision, and once I had all the facts, I could make informed decisions. Afterwards, my surgeon was positive the operation had gone well. The only difference on Christmas Day was that my family rowed in and I did less cooking. It was great. I was tired but glad the surgery wasn’t hanging over me.”

After surgery, Dympna had a course of radiotherapy and now takes oestrogen-supressing medication every day. She also has a mammogram every year.

“I am very grateful it was found early,” Dympna continues. “I attribute that to BreastCheck. The surgeon confirmed that there was no way I would’ve felt it or found it. I’m very lucky.” Dympna is keen to encourage women aged 50 to 69 to make sure they are registered for screening and to go to their follow-up appointments.

“Screening offers an opportunity to find out if you’re okay, it doesn’t cost money, it’s only a little bit of your time and the mammogram isn’t too difficult, it’s an instant of being uncomfortable. As far as I’m concerned, screening saved my life.”

If you’re aged 50 to 69 we’ll invite you when we’re next screening women in your area. We aim to invite you for your first screening test by age 52 and every two years after that, up to the age of 69. Some women may be 53 when they are offered their first appointment and some will have three years between appointments, depending on when we are screening in your area.

Taking part in screening every time you’re invited allows us to build up a picture of your breast health over time, making it easier to identify changes.

We know that a diagnosis of cancer is life-changing; however, when it is found through screening it is usually at an earlier stage, before symptoms have started and when treatment outcomes and survival rates are better.

Watch Dympna’s story


  • The National Screening Service would like to thank Dympna for sharing her story with us.
  • Breast screening is for women who do not have any symptoms of breast cancer. If you have symptoms or any concern about your breasts, do not wait for your screening appointment. Talk to your GP without delay.
  • Screening will not pick up every sign that could develop into cancer, and cancer can develop between screening tests. For more information about breast screening, visit hse.ie/breastcheck or Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
  • Be breast aware. Get to know what is normal for you and your breasts, so you’ll notice any unusual changes. The earlier you notice a change the better. When breast cancer is found early, treatment is more likely to be successful. Check your breasts at least once a month.
  • Making BreastCheck work for everyone – 5 things you should know