Deirdre Clune
Question:118 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans in relation to mammography services. [24508/00]
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Michael Ring
Question:196 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the further refinements needed in relation to implementation arrangements at a local level, arising from the report of the sub-group of the national cancer forum on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease; when the advisory group will commence liaison with the health boards in formulating its plans for the development of specialist breast cancer services; and if the recommendations of the advisory group will be published. [24473/00]
Bernard Allen
Question:424 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will explain his recent statement that the health of Irish women must take precedence over geopolitical considerations in deciding where breast cancer services should be located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/00]
Brian O'Shea
Question:601 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a breast cancer unit at Waterford Regional Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24679/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 196, 424 and 601 together.
The Deputy may be aware that BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, was formally launched on 10 October last. Phase I of the programme will cover the eastern, north eastern and midland health board areas and will target 136,000 women in the age cohort 50 to 64, which represents approximately 50% of the national target population. The service is being delivered by two central units, the Eccles unit on the Mater Hospital campus and the Merrion unit on St. Vincent's Hospital campus, with outreach to the community by means of three mobile units. The Eccles unit is now fully commissioned and screening commenced there in February 2000. Limited screening is also in progress in St. Vincent's Hospital pending the construction of the new Merrion unit. In addition, the first mobile screening commenced on 21 August 2000 in Longford.
The decision to proceed on a phased basis is a reflection of the complexities involved in the screening process rather than the costs involved and my Department's key objective is to ensure that the programme meets the necessary quality assurance criteria. For this reason the national breast screening programme must be driven by international quality assurance standards and best practice. Decisions in relation to subsequent phases of the programme will be guided by the experience gained from putting phase I of the programme in place. Phase II will involve the extension of the programme to the rest of the country. The steering committee has recommended that phase II of the programme should follow phase I as soon as is practicable.
A review of symptomatic breast cancer services was carried out by a sub group of the national cancer forum at the request of my predecessor, Deputy Cowen. This review commenced in 1999 and I received the report of the review in April this year.
Having considered the report entitled Development of Services for Symptomatic Breast Disease, I accept the broad thrust of its recommendations. This report is essentially about the development of centres of excellence for the specialist treatment of breast disease. The report refers to the strong evidence which exists that women with breast cancer are at a lower risk of relapse and have a better opportunity of long-term survival if they are treated in a multidisciplinary setting. This means that surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiotherapists, plastic surgeons, nurses, counsellors and others all bring expertise together to provide the best care for each patient. The report is recommending the establishment of these specialist units. In this context I emphasise the importance of prioritising women's health over and above geopolitical considerations.
Having considered the report, I established an expert advisory group to assist and liaise with health boards in formulating the health boards implementation plans for the development of specialist breast units. This advisory group under the chairmanship of Professor Niall O'Higgins has met all health boards recently. The health boards are now formulating their plans for the development of the services in their own regions and I await the submission of these plans.