Screenings for women

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer both in Estonia and the world as a whole. About 800 primary cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year and this number is on the rise.

Factors that increase the risk of breast cancer are:
genetic predisposition, excess weight, alcohol use, low physical activity, smaller number of births, higher age at the time of first childbirth, short period of breastfeeding, use of hormonal contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy.

Why should you participate in the screening?

• Screening helps to detect the disease early and increases the chance of recovery.
• Free and easily accessible: in Estonia, breast cancer screening is free for women in the target group, including for the uninsured, and screening is performed in various health care facilities all over the country.
• By participating in the screening, you show that you care about your health.
• Screening is free for all insured and uninsured people who belong to the screening target group for a given year.

It is important to participate in the screening even if you do not have any signs or symptoms. If the disease is detected early, it is possible to fully recover.

See when you are invited to a breast cancer screening – www.sõeluuring.ee

How to participate in breast cancer screening?

You can participate in the screening in the following ways:

1. Schedule an appointment in the Health Portal
2. Phone a suitable health care facility and tell them that you wish to book a screening appointment:
   •    East Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Pärnu mnt 104, phone: 666 1900, 606 7684 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
   •    Mammograaf Rinnakliinik, Tallinn, Estonia pst 1/3, phone: 627 4222 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
   •    Mammograaf Kotka kliinik, Tallinn, Kotka 12, , phone: 627 4470 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
   •    North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn, J. Sütiste tee 19, phone: 6171049, 5300 6334 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
   •    Läänemaa Hospital, Haapsalu, Vaba 6, phone: 4725800 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
   •    Narva Hospital, Narva, Haigla 1, phone: 357 2737 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
   •    Pärnu Hospital, Pärnu, Ristiku 1, phone: 447 3561 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
   •    Ida-Viru Central Hospital, Kohtla-Järve, Ilmajaama tn 14, phone: 331 1711 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
   •    Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Kvartali keskus, Riia 2, phone: 731 9411 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
   •    Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, L. Puusepa 8, phone: 731 9411 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)
3. Schedule, stops, and registration information for the mammography buses can be found HERE

Do I have to wait for the invitation to participate in the screening?

You can participate in the screening without an invitation. If you belong to the screening target group in a given year, you can contact a health care facility directly (see the list above).

Women belonging to the target group will find their invitation/referral in the Health Portal (subsection ‘Appointments and referrals’) from the beginning of the screening year. Referral for screening is valid until the end of the calendar year.

Upon registration, the woman’s year of birth is checked. You must bring your identity document to your screening appointment.

Screening invitation

The Cancer Screening Registry of the National Institute for Health Development will send a personal invitation to women in the target group.

Women whose year of birth is part of the screening target group and whose place of residence is the Republic of Estonia at the time of generating the screening invitation/referral are invited to a screening.

Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the last five years will not receive a breast cancer screening invitation. This is based on queries to the Cancer Registry and the Health Information System.

Invitations to screenings are sent electronically, using the notification service of eesti.ee. An e-invitation will be sent to persons in the screening target group whose eesti.ee email address has been redirected to their personal email address or entered in the population register. Using the eesti.ee notification service, screening reminders are sent by text message to those who have not yet participated.

If there is no data on the redirection of emails in the Cancer Screening Registry, a paper invitation will be sent to the address entered in the population register. If data in the population register is inaccurate, the invitation may not reach the recipient. Therefore, it is important to check the accuracy of your contact details in the state portal.

What is the procedure for breast cancer screening?

An imaging exam called mammography is used to detect precancerous conditions and early-stage breast cancer.
You will need to take off your upper body clothing for the exam. You will be led to a device where the radiologist performing the exam will place your breasts in turn between two flat plates and will create two images of your mammary glands in different directions. The exam may feel a little uncomfortable, but it should not hurt. Mammography has a low radiation dose and is safe for your health.

You should not use deodorant or body cream on the day of the exam.
Using deodorant, body creams, and body powder may affect the quality of the X-ray image. Women who are still menstruating should come for screening on day 5–15 of the cycle, as breasts are less tender and sensitive in that period.

The exam takes about 20 minutes and the results come within two weeks.
Results of the exam are accessible via the Health Portal (subsection ‘Appointments and referrals’). If there is a need for further testing, the woman is contacted and notified.

How to perform self-checks?

You can do the most for your health. Please check your breasts regularly!

See the video on how to do it most efficiently.