Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 6

Written Answers - Cancer Screening Programme.

Michael Ring

Question:

82 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to ensure that the BreastCheck programme is extended to the Western Health Board region; his views on the fact that it is unreasonable that the women of the west of Ireland do not have a service when people in other parts of the country have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6704/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 140,000 women and it represents about 50% of the national target population. By end December 2002, 110,636 women had been called for screening and 83,000 women had been screened. This represents an uptake of 75%.

I have publicly expressed my commitment to the nationwide extension of BreastCheck. As evidence of my commitment, I recently announced the extension of BreastCheck to a further three counties. Approximately, 19,000 women in the 50-64 age bracket in counties Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow will be invited for screening.

In relation to the further expansion of the programme, the board of BreastCheck has submitted a business plan to my Department. Two static units are proposed in host hospitals, one in Cork and the other in Galway, at which breast surgery would be performed for women in the south, west, mid-west and north west. A number of key issues have been raised by health boards and health professionals in relation to the national roll out of BreastCheck which need to be addressed in advance of further expansion. I will meet BreastCheck shortly to discuss these issues.

It is the combination of breast screening services, access to breast surgery and to oncology drug therapies, together with radiotherapy that is required if we are to reduce mortality rates from breast cancer. National Cancer Registry data shows that 35% of breast cancer cases occur in women in the 50-64 year age group. As BreastCheck only deals with women in the 50 to 64 year old age range and only those who have no symptoms, it follows that the great majority of women with breast cancer will continue to be diagnosed and treated outside of the screening programme. Since 2001, there has been a cumulative investment of €30 million in symptomatic breast disease services. In relation to the Western Health Board, the cumulative investment in these services since 2001 is almost €4 million. The benefit of this investment is reflected in the significant increase in activity which has occurred, with in-patient breast cancer procedures increasing from 1,336 in 1997 to 1,839 in 2001, an increase of 37% nationally.

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.