Cancer Screening Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Questions (260)

Arthur Spring

Question:

260. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the 1,298 women who have developed breast cancer subsequent to a clear screening National Cancer Register and that the interval cancer rate at 38% of anticipated cancer rate with an additional 525 women who also developed cancer subsequent to clear screening places Ireland firmly at the top of breast cancer interval cancer rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9931/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Interval cancers, involving breast cancers diagnosed in the interval between scheduled screenings, where women have been given a normal screening result at their most recent screening, inevitably arise in any screening programme.

Cancer can occur at any time, including during periods between mammograms. Also, not all breast cancers can be found by means of mammogram. Some non-invasive cancers will not be found by screening and interval cancers can occur in such cases.

However, the overall benefits of breast screening are clear. Breast screening helps to diagnose breast cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat, thus exposing the women involved to less extensive surgical treatment and giving them better chances of good recoveries and improved quality of life.