Kathleen Lynch
Ceist:57 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to extend the breast screening programme to Cork in view of the recent report on women's health. [12228/95]
Written Answers. - Breast Screening Programme.
Mary Wallace
Ceist:70 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the current status of the Government's promise to extend the Eccles Street breast cancer screening programme; the progress, if any, that has been made on establishing a comprehensive register of women to be targeted for screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12373/95]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 70 together.
My Department has supported a major mammographic screening programme at the Mater Foundation over the last two years. This programme, the Eccles breast screening programme, is part of a network of pilot schemes being carried out within the European Union. The Eccles programme covered a defined catchment area of North Dublin and Cavan-Monaghan and is the first study of its kind undertaken in this country.
It is generally accepted that the essential factor in the success of a national breast screening programme is a high and consistent participation rate among the population to be screened. Accordingly, my Department is at present, examining in detail the scope for developing a comprehensive population register so that women may be specifically targeted for the programme.
The Government of Renewal Programme contains an undertaking to expand the Eccles breast screening programme on a phased basis to cover those women in the high risk category nationwide. The second round of screening by the Eccles breast screening programme has been completed and a report on its findings has been submitted to the Department. This report has been independently assessed and subjected to detailed evaluation on behalf of the Department. I will be announcing proposals for the phased expansion of the programme in the coming weeks.