Michael Smith
Ceist:1 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for the introduction of a nation-wide breast cancer screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1597/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Limerick East): The Government of Renewal Programme contains an undertaking to expand the Eccles Street breast cancer programme on a phased basis to cover those women in the high risk group nationwide. The Deputy will be aware that my Department is supporting this major mammographic screening programme underway at the Mater Foundation. This programme is one of a network of pilot schemes on breast cancer being carried out in the European Union.
The programme's second round of screening has recently been completed and a report on the findings of the programme has been submitted to my Department in recent days. This report is currently being assessed and evaluated in my Department and I hope to be in a position to announce a decision on the expansion of the programme in the near future.
I understand that the pilot scheme carried out by the Mater Hospital has been highly successful and that its findings are corroborated by international medical research which targets the specific age groups that are at risk. Would the Minister consider extending the scheme as a priority to those specific age groups?
(Limerick East): Yes, that in effect is the commitment in the programme agreed between the Government parties and I intend extending the scheme progressively in 1995.
Is the Minister aware that the success of that scheme in Northern Ireland has been quite spectacular and will he now negotiate with his counterpart in the North with a view to considering to what extent their co-operation might cater for those in the Border counties?
(Limerick East): As the Deputy is aware the Eccles Street screening programme is part of a European Union initiative. We will draw on the experience of our partners in the European Union who have similar screening programmes and that would, of course, include the experience of the British authorities and those in Northern Ireland. We will not be negotiating particular Protocols with them but we will draw on their experience. As the Deputy will be aware there are meetings between the Minister for Health and the Minister with responsibility for health in Stormont on a biannual basis and that will continue during my term in office.
Since it is widely accepted that breast cancer is one of the more common cancers and, I am told, one of the more easily detectable will the Minister say to what extent we will have educational and awareness programmes particularly for women's groups throughout the country so that the use of the very expensive technology required could be minimised by a greater awareness among women of what they can do themselves.
(Limerick East): An education and awareness programme for all groups and individuals who would be likely to be affected by cancer would be part of any national programme on cancer.
To put the situation in context, about 8,000 people here died last year from cancer. Modern evaluation systems now indicate that a person has a one in four chance of contracting cancer sometime in one's life and in that context about 650 women died of breast cancer and approximately 70 died of cervical cancer in Ireland last year. I accept what the Deputy is suggesting but any initiatives I take will be set in the context of a wider programme for cancer screening because it is at the top of all tables on premature mortality and it needs a national policy rather than the pursuance of issues of major concern which are not the totality of the problem.