Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
256. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if a safety statement is available for digital mammogram machines or if a risk assessment has been conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9927/14]
View answer257. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if BreastCheck women's charter represents an abrogation of responsibility to women; if the charter confines the promise to recalling women; if the remainder of the charter is aspirational; if the consortium has any duty of care to women under this charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9928/14]
View answer258. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if a standardised detection ratio is the preferred method to ensure unit performance; if the unit performance has taken precedence over women’s health and safety; if other methods are utilised to ensure unit performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9929/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 to 258, inclusive, together.
BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, offers a population-based ongoing call and recall programme every two years to all eligible women aged 50-64. BreastCheck has a clear commitment to providing transparent information to women invited for screening - with the benefits and limitations of screening clearly explained. Breast cancer survival in Ireland has improved significantly in recent years due to the combined approach of screening, symptomatic detection and improved treatment. Breast cancer 5 year survival is now estimated at 81.8% for people diagnosed between 2003-2007, up from 76.8% for people diagnosed between 1998-2002.
BreastCheck's ‘Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Mammography Screening’ is available for public review and download from the publications section of www.breastcheck.ie. These guidelines are consistent with those of the European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services which is the EU standard.
BreastCheck utilises digital mammography as it is the most advanced method available, giving enhanced image quality and significant reductions in the radiation dose associated with screening examinations. While not all breast cancers can be found by mammogram, breast screening helps to identify cancers at an early stage when it easier to treat the patient. This leads to less extensive surgical treatment, a better chance of good recovery and improved quality of life.
BreastCheck is fully audited against a range of quality-led criteria including those published in the BreastCheck Women’s Charter. BreastCheck seeks to achieve or surpass standards set down for breast screening, including those outlined in the Charter, and outcomes are reported in the BreastCheck programme report (most recent figures relate to 2011). BreastCheck provides comprehensive and transparent information and encourages women to share in decision-making regarding treatment. They also highlight the woman’s right to refuse treatment, obtain a second opinion or choose alternative treatment.
The standardised detection ratio (SDR) is a useful composite score by which to measure the performance of an overall screening programme and it is used to benchmark radiological performance against other international programmes. The most recently published figures for 2011 reflect an improved programme performance by BreastCheck.
