Vol. 514 No. 4
144 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish mobile breast screening units across the country to facilitate women who are suspected of suffering from breast cancer in view of the fact that it is accepted that at least ten units are required. [4478/00]
At present, in Ireland mammography is 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. 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 March 1997, my predecessor gave the go ahead for the introduction of Phase 1 of the National Breast Screening Programme for the target population of women aged 50-64, in the Eastern, North Eastern and Midland Health Board areas. There will be two central units located at St. Vincent's Hospital and at the Mater Hospital, where the screening, assessment and treatment of women will be carried out using a multi-disciplinary approach. In addition, the use of mobile units by BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Board, will ensure that the screening service is accessible to all women in the target age group in these areas. Phase 1 of the programme is under way and currently has three mobile units. The number of mobile screening units will be increased in number as required to deliver an optimal local service. My intention is to provide a top quality service which meets best international standards. I am satisfied that the careful planning and deliberation by the National Breast Screening Committee over the past two years in relation to all aspects of the programme will ensure that we can offer a service which is underpinned by standards of excellence and one which will ultimately pay dividends in terms of reductions in mortality among women in the target population. Decisions in relation to subsequent phases of the programme will be guided by the experience gained from putting Phase 1 of the programme in place. The steering committee has recommended that Phase 11 of the programme should follow Phase 1 as soon as is practicable.
My Department is very conscious of the importance of early access to symptomatic mammography services and of the provision of an equivalent standard of excellence in both symptomatic and screening mammography services. For this reason, I have requested the National Cancer Forum to undertake a review of symptomatic breast cancer services at national level and it will report back to my Department shortly.
