Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Cancer Strategy.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

107 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, which are being taken by his Department to highlight and deal with the subject of breast cancer in the North Western Health Board region in view of the fact that this is breast cancer awareness month. [19259/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The North Western Health Board continues to liaise, through its health promotion office, with women's groups such as the Irish Countrywomen's Association, in relation to breast cancer awareness.

To coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month the Irish Cancer Society has arranged, in association with health boards, the staging of a play on breast cancer in a number of venues throughout the country. The play aims to increase the public's knowledge and understanding of the importance of early detection of breast cancer and the role of self-examination and breast cancer screening. Admission is free and the organisers encourage men and women to come along. The performance is followed by a workshop session where a breast cancer nurse and a cancer specialist answer any queries which are raised. In the North Western Health Board four performances of the play have taken place, two in Donegal, one in Sligo and one in Leitrim.

As the Deputy will be aware, breast screening is one element of a national cancer strategy which I have circulated to other Government Departments for consideration. When I have taken cognisance of these comments I intend to bring the national cancer strategy to Government in the very near future.