Brian O'Shea
Question:602 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is intended to roll out the breast screening service to the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27182/02]
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Phil Hogan
Question:692 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the national breast screening service will be implemented in the South Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 692 together.
As the Deputies are aware, BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, commenced in March 2000 with phase one of the programme covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and North Eastern Health Board areas. Screening is being offered free of charge to all women in those areas in the target age group 50 to 64 years of age. The target population consists of approximately 136,000 women and it represents about 50% of the national target population. To end October 2002, some 101,072 women had been called for screening and 75,668 women have been screened, representing an uptake of 75%.
The decision to proceed on a phased basis is a reflection of the complexities involved in the screening process and it is essential that the programme be driven by international quality assurance criteria and best practice. The board of BreastCheck has submitted a business plan to my Department for the national expansion of the programme. My Department is in discussions with the executive of BreastCheck in relation to the expansion of the programme and especially the linkages with the existing symptomatic services.
Any woman irrespective of her age or residence, who has immediate concerns or symptoms, should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area.