asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to introduce systematic screening for certain illness in terms of preventive medicine; and if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Preventive Medicine.
189.
The main objective of systematic screening is the prevention or the early diagnosis of certain conditions with a view to curing or stabilising the condition. Many such screening programmes are available to the public.
For example, screening for diseases associated with childbirth is provided for pregnant women and screening programmes are also provided to detect inborn errors of metabolism in infants. Screening for development disorders is an important aspect of the child health and school medical services.
Screening for hypertension is also available to the public through general practitioners.
Women may avail themselves of screening facilities for cervical cancer through their general practitioners, family planning clinics, maternity hospitals and special clinics organised by health boards. Mammography facilities are available in most general hospitals to screen women with suspect breast disease, on referral from their general practitioners. My Department are currently examining a proposal from the Mater Hospital to establish a pilot project to screen for breast cancer in a defined catchment area through the use of mammography.
My Department will support the introduction of systematic screening for any disorder where it is a proven method at prevention, or where early diagnosis can result in a cure or stabilisation of the condition.