A new breast health unit was opened at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin today.
It will provide a service for younger women - outside of the 50 to 64-year-old age brackets - who are not covered under the National Breast Screening Programme.
It is to be staffed by a multidisciplinary team allowing most patients to access services from diagnosis to surgery under one roof.
The unit will also offer a dedicated "family history clinic" to women with a strong prevalence of breast cancer in their family, as well as plastic and reconstructive surgery clinics.
Today's opening, which coincides with Breast Awareness Month, was carried out by Tánaiste and Minster for Health Mary Harney.
