A South East TD has raised the importance of the Breast Check programme in the Dáil.
Carlow, Kilkenny's Jennifer Murnane O'Connor says the backlog for screening needs addressing urgently.
She raised the issue with the Health Minister in the Dáil this week.
The Fianna Fáil TD says the checks are extremely important for women;
"Awareness around breast cancer is incredibly important because early detection often through screening can catch the disease when it is most treatable.
If that early screening is not available then we have a massive issue. Breast cancer is the third most common cancer in Ireland.
I'm one of the women that's over 50 and has had my checks and it is a relief when you get them done. I just want to say that it is important that everyone who does get contacted that they go and get checked. It's extremely important."
