Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
217 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans there are to introduce dictdonestic genetic testing for persons who have a pre disposition to a specific cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20906/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDiagnostic genetic testing for people with inherited pre-disposition to breast, ovarian and colorectal cancer is available for patients on a national basis at the National Centre for Medical Genetics at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin. Since 2002, a cumulative sum of €1.8 million has been allocated to the National Centre for Medical Genetics, of which €1.4 million was from National Cancer Strategy funding.
In recognition of the need to further develop cancer services, the National Cancer Strategy 2004 is currently being developed by the National Cancer Forum in conjunction with my Department. A sub-group of the National Cancer Forum on Genetics is currently examining the specific areas of inherited familial pre-disposition to cancer, cancer risk profiling of persons without inherited mutations and molecular diagnostics and molecular therapeutics. The work of this sub-group will inform the development of the strategy, which is due to be completed by the end of the year.
