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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

315 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is proposed to establish the BreastCheck programme in the Southern Health Board area. [25175/02]

BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme, commenced in March 2000 with phase one covering the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and North Eastern Health Board areas. Screening is being offered free of charge to all women in those areas in the target age group 50 to 64 years of age. The target population consists of approximately 136,000 women and represents about 50% of the national target population. To the end of August 91,906 women had been called for screening and 68,184 women have been screened. This represents an uptake of 74%.

The decision to proceed on a phased basis is a reflection of the complexities involved in the screening process. It is essential that the programme is driven by international quality assurance criteria and best practice. The board of BreastCheck has submitted a business plan to my Department for the national expansion of the programme. My Department is in discussions with the executive of BreastCheck in relation to the expansion of the programme and especially the linkages with the existing symptomatic services. I have invested substantially in the develop ment of symptomatic services and further development is required.
I am committed to the national extension of BreastCheck and a decision in relation to this issue is being considered in the context of the overall investment programme for cancer services. Any woman, irrespective of her age or residence, who has immediate concerns or symptoms should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area.
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