Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2004
139 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position which the unit will provide regarding the provision of a breast cancer unit at Waterford Regional Hospital for symptomatic breast cancer for non-symptomatic patients picked up through BreastCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18762/04]
View answerThe national breast screening programme commenced in March 2000 to implement a scheme for the early diagnosis and primary treatment of breast cancer in women in the 50 to 64 age group. Phase 1 of the scheme operates in the eastern part of the country. Last year, I announced the extension of the programme to counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford and the national roll-out to the west and southern parts of the country. Under the BreastCheck scheme women will have their diagnosis, investigation and primary treatment managed by a multi-disciplinary team.
Two centres currently operate in the eastern region, one at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin and the other at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. In 2002 the European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services, EUREF, evaluated the BreastCheck programme at these centres. The EUREF concluded that the programme operated to a very high standard. The overwhelming majority of women whose breast cancer is detected by BreastCheck will receive their primary treatment and follow up at the BreastCheck clinical unit for their region. Women also have an option of treatment and follow up at their regional designated centre for symptomatic breast disease. BreastCheck organises its services to ensure integrated clinical pathways are in place to effectively treat and care for women with breast cancer which involves close linkages with the symptomatic services.
BreastCheck is developing a similar model of treatment and care as part of the national extension of the programme which will require a further two centres. The centre in the south, which will provide services for women in County Waterford, will be located at the South Infirmary Hospital, Cork and the centre in the west will be located at University College Hospital, Galway. Both of these centres are at the planning stages.
