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.
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Today's opening, which coincides with Breast Awareness Month, was carried out by Tánaiste and Minster for Health Mary Harney.