Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
999. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding to the Irish Cancer Society to increase the uptake rate of bowel screens for people between the ages of 60 and 69; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20023/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, is run by the HSE's National Screening Service. It offers free bowel screening to men and women aged 60-69. The BowelScreen Round One Programme Report, 2012-2015, which was launched on 25 April 2017, shows that 521 cancers were detected through bowel screening, 3 out of 4 of which were detected at an early stage.
The BowelScreen programme is adequately funded and strenuous efforts are being made to improve the uptake, particularly among men who have lower rates of participation but significantly higher rates of cancer detection compared to women. These efforts include digital and social media initiatives, as well as targeted radio and press advertisements.
