The total number of women awaiting mammograms in the five major Dublin hospitals dealing with breast cancer are, Mater, Beaumont, St. James's, St. Vincent's and the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin incorporating the National Children's Hospital, is approximately, 1,700.
The average waiting time for routine referrals, those which are not considered to be medically urgent varies, between four and eight weeks. Urgent appointments are normally seen within a few days of referral.
Routine or asymptomatic cases are dealt with as soon as possible, but must be subject to careful prioritisation. In view of the demands placed on mammography services, some hospitals may refer asymptomatic women to their general practitioner for a further assessment of priority. Hospitals review their caseload regularly, to ensure that women with an urgent cause for concern are seen without delay. The criteria for urgent cases include the existence of a breast lump, previous family history of breast cancer or other high risk indicators.
Where a woman is concerned at the length of time she has to wait for a mammography, she can ask her general practitioner to discuss her case with a consultant radiologist, who decides upon the priority of cases.
I am committed to developing mammography services in line with the principles of the national cancer strategy. In the Eastern Health Board area, the regional directors of cancer services are preparing proposals for the further development of services for the treatment of cancer, including breast cancer.