Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2015
402. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health given the success of awareness programmes such as Blue September and Movember, if his Department is costing and developing a men's cancer screening programme; the age groups and cancer types being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39193/15]
View answerI acknowledge the contribution made by campaigns such as Blue September and Movember in helping to raise awareness of cancer in males.
The National Screening Service provides breast, cervical and bowel in line with international evidence. BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, commenced offering free bowel screening nationwide to both men and women aged 60-69 years in late 2012. The first round of screening will have been offered to the full cohort in this age group by the end of 2015.
There is insufficient evidence to recommend the introduction of screening programmes for other male cancers, such as prostate cancer. My Department and the HSE will continue to monitor emerging international evidence in this regard.
