Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 3

Written Answers. - Breast Cancer Statistics.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

36 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of women who died in each of the past five years having had breast cancer; the number who received mammography screening for each year; whether detection took place in sufficient time to facilitate satisfactory treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

Information on mortality from breast cancer in each of the last five years is given below. Also shown is the number of women who had diagnostic mammography in each of these years.

Year	Mortality from Breast Cancer	Number of Women who had Mammography**
1993	Not available	17,698
1992	650*	16,014
1991	662*	18,355
1990	603	15,454
1989	688	9,495

*Provisional mortality figures.

**Note: Some hospitals supplied approximate figures. Figures include women who are participating in the Eccles Breast Screening Programme.

At present in Ireland, mammography is used largely as a diagnostic tool for symptomatic or worried women. In order to be referred for mammography, it is only necessary for a woman to approach her general practitioner or consultant. Diagnostic mammography services are provided at 17 hospitals throughout the country. Most routine referrals and all urgent referrals are seen without undue delay and expertise has been growing in all aspects of the early detection of breast cancer and its treatment. Breast cancer survival rates are an important indicator of the effectiveness of treatment of breast cancer. The newly established National Cancer Register will provide information which will assist in the evaluation of breast cancer survival rates.

In addition, the new health strategy,Shaping a Healthier Future, lays emphasis on the need for clinical audit. This provides for a systematic review of the manner in which health care is provided from the individual's first point of contact with the service through to an assessment of the outcome of care which she or he has received. The development of guidelines and protocols for the treatment of breast cancer by health professionals is an important facet of this process.