Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
722. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the option of providing resources in Budget 2022 to enable the reduction in the age of those women who can avail of a free breast check; and if he is considering introducing a general practitioner service to breast check all young women of the age of 18 upwards as part of standard general practitioner visits. [46269/21]
View answerI am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service. In that regard and in line with commitments in the Programme for Government, BreastCheck is currently implementing an age-extension project that will see all women aged between 50 to 69 years being invited for routine breast screening.
In relation to consideration of any further age changes, such as reducing the age to people under the age of 50, it is vital we remember that breast screening is a population health screening measure. It is not an individual diagnostic test. The balance between the benefits of screening and the potential harms or risks to the population as a whole require careful, evidence-based consideration and balancing.
As with all our national screening programmes, BreastCheck delivers its services in line with international criteria for population-based screening programmes, which are kept under constant review. The balance between the benefits of screening and the potential harms or risks to the population as a whole require careful, evidence-based consideration and balancing.
Decisions about changes to our national screening programmes will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers the evidence for changes in a robust and transparent manner. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly. This ensures policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence and advice.
The NSAC is currently finalising plans for its first ‘annual call’ which will be announced later this year. Applications for proposals for new population based screening programmes and modifications to existing programmes, such as a reduction in the age of those eligible for screening, will be welcomed from the public as well as the HSE, health professionals and other professional bodies. Further information on the 'annual call' will be published on the NSAC website.
There are no plans at present to introduce a general practitioner service to breast check all young women of the age of 18 upwards as part of general practitioner visits under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme.
It is important that every woman is breast aware. This means knowing what is normal for them so that if any unusual change occurs, they will recognise it. The HSE have useful information in relation to self-checking their breasts on its website.
If a woman becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP, who will arrange appropriate follow-up care.
