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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.

Mary Hanafin

Ceist:

149 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of newly diagnosed breast cancers per annum in the Longford, Westmeath and Tullamore areas of the Midland Health Board. [16905/99]

The National Cancer Registry collects and analyses data on the incidence of and mortality from cancer in Ireland. To date the registry have published two reports, for the years 1994 and 1995. The information requested by the Deputy, by county, is set out in the table below.

Numbers of cases by county

1994

1995

Females

Males

Females

Males

Longford

15

0

17

0

Westmeath

29

0

27

0

Offaly

19

0

25

0

Mary Hanafin

Ceist:

150 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a medical radiation oncologist available to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in the Tallaght hospital. [16906/99]

I am happy to tell the Deputy that there is a consultant-led radiation oncology service available at the Adelaide, Meath, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght. In relation to medical oncology, the hospital makes arrangements for the provision of this service in association with the relevant hospitals in the region. The hospital did not prioritise this service for development funding in 1999. However, should the hospital make such an application, it will be given due consideration within the context of their overall priorities for the year 2000 and the many competing demands within the acute sector.

Mary Hanafin

Ceist:

151 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for Health and Children if public patients in the Eastern Health Board region will be able to avail of the national breast screening programme at the Mater and St Vincent's hospitals when it commences in view of the fact that only private patients are able to avail of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16907/99]

At present, in Ireland mammography is used primarily as a diagnostic tool for symptomatic or concerned women on referral from their GPs and in some cases for women at particular risk of developing the disease. It is not correct to state that this service is only available for private patients. There are 19 diagnostic mammographic units available in Ireland for public patients. Of the 19 units 14 are available outside of Dublin, with at least one unit in each health board area. In the Eastern Health Board region, symptomatic services are available to public patients at five hospitals including the Mater Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital.

The Deputy will be aware that in March 1997, my predecessor gave the go ahead for the introduction of Phase I of the national breast screening programme. This phase will cover the Eastern, North-Eastern and Midland Health Board areas and will target 120,000 women in the age cohort 50-64, which represents approximately 50 per cent of the national target population. There will be two central units located at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin and at the Mater Hospital, Dublin where the screening, assessment and treatment of women will be carried out using a multi-disciplinary approach. In addition, the use of mobile units by BreastCheck, the national breast screening board, will ensure that the screening service is accessible to all women in the target age group in these areas, irrespective of their health service eligibility status.

In March 1999, I announced that Phase I of the national breast screening programme would commence in October 1999. A key element in meeting this target date was the provision of appropriate physical facilities for the screening programme. The Deputy will be pleased to know that my Department has now approved the acceptance of tenders in relation to the development of the Eccles unit at the Mater Hospital, where refurbishment work can commence immediately.

In addition, the planning for the development of the Merrion unit at St. Vincent's Hospital is at an advanced stage and I expect to be in a position shortly to approve the acceptance of tenders in this regard. It is planned that the necessary works for both units will be completed to facilitate the commencement of screening in October 1999.

My intention is to provide a top quality service which meets best international standards. I am satisfied that the careful planning and deliberation by the national breast screening committee over the past two years in relation to all aspects of the programme will ensure that we can offer a service which is underpinned by standards of excellence and one which will ultimately pay dividends in terms of reductions in mortality among women in the target population.
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