In July 2000 the Mid-Western Health Board made a submission to the expert review group on cancer services on the necessity for a radiotherapy service in its area. About 1,500 patients in the board's area are diagnosed each year with cancer, of which 170 need radiotherapy. These are referred to hospitals in Galway, Cork and primarily St. Luke's in Dublin.
I will give the following examples of case histories in the mid-western region to illustrate how essential the radiotherapy facility is. A 69 year old housewife, following a right sided mastectomy on 18 April 2001 was referred for radiotherapy. She received her first treatment on 13 August 2001, almost four months later. Another example is a 21 year old student with Hodgkin's disease who, on completion of chemotherapy in April 2001, was referred for radiotherapy which commenced at the end of August 2001, a duration of five months.
Many ladies with breast cancer are given the option of lumpectomy and radiotherapy or a mastectomy. Many opt for a mastectomy rather than travel to Dublin for radiotherapy treatment. Travelling imposes extra strain not only on those suffering from cancer but also on their families and completely contradicts the philosophy of palliative training.
We are fortunate in the Mid-Western Health Board region to have the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust, a charitable trust which is prepared to fund the capital cost. It requires the Minister for Health and Children to provide funding for this radiotherapy facility.
I am aware the expert group has finished its investigation. Has the report been presented to the Minister? I hope the recommendations include the provision of a radiotherapy facility for the mid-west.
A statement in Cancer in Ireland 1994-1998 reads as follows:
With one or two [notable] exceptions, differences in treatment patterns between the various health boards were not statistically significant . The most notable exception is the lower percentage of lung, breast and lymphoma patients receiving radiotherapy in the Western and Mid Western Health Board [areas].
The objective of the Mid-Western Health Board is to have a centre of excellence in the region. Major developments have taken place in breast, colo-rectal and urology services in the board area. These services cannot be fully developed without full and ready access to radiotherapy.
According to the Caiman-Hine report produced in 1995, a population of 280,000 to 300,000 justifies a two machine radiotherapy centre. The population in the mid-west justifies the provision of a radiotherapy facility. I implore the Minister, Deputy Martin, to give a commitment to provide such a facility for the Mid-Western Health Board region. I will continue my crusade for this facility until he and the Department of Health and Children provide this essential service for the area I represent.