The Symptomatic Breast Centre was established more than 25 years ago. We are one of the eight cancer centres of the HSE National Cancer Control Programme. Today the unit and its satellite centre in Letterkenny constitutes the largest unit in the country both in terms of numbers of patient seen and cancers treated.
The Symptomatic Breast Centre at Galway University Hospital is a purpose built facility designed with an emphasis on client comfort and safety. It is wheelchair accessible and most special requirements including language and visual aids are available. It is equipped with the latest equipment and staffed by specialised administrative, nursing, radiological and clinical staff. 
The reception area includes a T.V., water cooler, drinks machine and toilet facilities. Here clients are registered for the various clinics that take place from Monday to Friday including clinics run by the surgeon, radiologist, genetic counsellor and breast care nurses.
The clinical area consists of 8 examination suites, each with access to digital radiology and laboratory results.
There is a separate Radiology area with its own waiting room and changing facilities. It is equipped with a fully digital mammography suite and state-of the-art ultrasound machines. Both the clinical and radiology areas are equipped for biopsy procedures under local anaesthetic. The breast care nurse team has a custom designed facility which includes counselling rooms with video facility and light refreshments.
The centre also incorporates the offices of Breast Cancer Research (formerly National Breast Cancer Research Institute), a charity that raises funds in support of world-class breast cancer research at the National University of Ireland, Galway to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients. Donations to the charity support research focused on personalised medicine, breast regeneration, and innovative diagnostics and therapeutics.