Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
26 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that the incidence of cervical cancer in Ireland is worsening, the roll-out of the national cervical screening programme will be expedited. [18431/04]
View answerStatistics on the incidence of new cancers cases are collated by the national cancer registry. The most up-to-date data for the number of new cases of invasive cervical cancer are for the years 1994 to 2000, inclusive, are as follows:
|
Year |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
|
174 |
155 |
215 |
173 |
188 |
156 |
193 |
The data do not show a significant statistical increase in the number of invasive cervical cancer.
In October 2000 a pilot cervical screening programme commenced in the Mid-Western Health Board region. Screening is offered free of charge to approximately 74,000 women in the 25 to 60 age group at five year intervals.
The Health Board Executive commissioned an examination of the feasibility and implications of a national roll-out of a cervical screening programme. It is a major undertaking with significant logistical and resource implications. The examination includes an evaluation of the pilot programme, policy development and the establishment of national governance arrangements. The evaluation is a key element in informing the development of a high quality cervical screening model for Ireland. HeBE has advised that when the evaluation report is completed it will prepare a draft plan for the national roll-out of a programme for consideration by my Department.
The number of smear tests carried out nationally has increased by almost 20% in recent years. To meet the increased demand my Department provided an additional cumulative €11 million since 2002 to enhance the laboratory and colposcopy services. The laboratories employed additional personnel, purchased new equipment and introduced new technology thereby increasing the volume of activity. A number of hospitals have also undertaken initiatives such as give smear test analysis contracts to external laboratories. These initiatives have resulted in a reduction in waiting times. For example, the waiting time for routine results at Cork University Hospital was reduced from 129 days at March 2003 to less than 40 days today.
