Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:119 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to provide breast screening facilities in the West of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9873/97]
Written Answers. - Mammography Service.
, Limerick East): In Ireland, mammography is currently used primarily as a diagnostic tool for symptomatic or concerned women on referral from their GPs and in some cases for women at particular risk of developing the disease. Diagnostic mammography services are currently provided at 19 centres throughout the country which are indicated in the following list.
Breast cancer screening involves the carrying out of mammography on a mass population basis. The aim is to lead to earlier detection and treatment of breast cancer in asymptomatic women.
The Deputy will be aware that, in October 1995, I gave the go-ahead to the establishment of a national screening programme on a phased basis. Since then work has been ongoing on the organisational structures and operational arrangements required to implement the phased expansion of the programme and on resolving the data protection issues surrounding the compilation of a population register.
I was pleased, therefore, to be in a position to announce on 4 March 1997 the introduction of a major action plan to implement the proposals contained in the National Cancer Strategy. The plan provides for the establishment of a national steering group to guide the implementation of the national programme of screening for breast cancer; and the introduction of legislation to ensure the screening programme will comply with data protection requirements. This legislation has been introduced very recently.
The first phase of the national breast screening programme will commence shortly and will cover the Eastern, North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas. It will target 120,000 women in the 50 to 64 age group, which represents some 50 per cent of the national target population.
The decision to proceed on a phased basis is guided by the need for the achievement of acceptable compliance levels among the target population; ongoing evaluation of the programme from a quality assurance perspective; and availability of the necessary clinical expertise to conduct the programme.
It is vital that the phased introduction of the breast screening programme should take cognisance of these critical success factors. Decisions taken in relation to the subsequent phases will be guided by the experience gained in putting in place Phase I of the programme.
Hospital
University College Hospital Galway
Mater Hospital Dublin
Ardkeen Hospital Waterford
St. James's Hospital Dublin
Adelaide Hospital Dublin
Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda
Mayo General Mayo
Tralee General County Kerry
Our Lady's Navan County Meath
Limerick Regional Limerick
Ennis General County Clare
Nenagh General County Tipperary
Portlaoise General County Laois
Beaumont Hospital Dublin
St. Vincent's Hospital Dublin
Sligo General Sligo
Letterkenny County Donegal
South Infirmary/Victoria Cork
Portiuncula Hospital Galway