Two reports about screening for colorectal cancer were published on 17 June. The first was a report by the National Cancer Screening Service Board on the development of a national colorectal cancer screening programme. The second was a Health Technology Assessment, carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
Both reports confirm that a properly organised screening programme would have huge public health benefits and that population based colorectal cancer screening would be highly cost effective. I am very anxious, notwithstanding the current budgetary situation, to introduce such a programme as soon as possible. Accordingly, I have now requested HIQA to explore different ways of delivering a high quality colorectal cancer screening programme within existing cancer screening resources, based on the range of advice contained in the two expert reports. Their work will be overseen by an Expert Advisory Group comprising representation from key stakeholders including my Department, the National Cancer Screening Service, the HSE National Cancer Control Programme, the HSE National Hospitals Office, the Irish Cancer Society and clinicians.
HIQA's report is to be provided to me by the end of September, and when I examine this I will decide how to proceed.