Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
103. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of prostate screening in view of the steep drop in referrals from general practitioners in spring 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23279/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 does not recommend the introduction of a population based screening programme for prostate cancer as there was insufficient evidence in favour of such a programme. This position is consistent with the Recommendations adopted by the European Union which advocate the introduction of cancer screening programmes which have demonstrated their efficacy having regard to professional expertise and priority setting for healthcare resources. My Department, the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and the National Cancer Screening Service will keep emerging international evidence under review including the results of randomised trials that are currently being conducted internationally.
The NCCP is working to enhance access to early diagnosis and multi-disciplinary decision-making for prostate cancer. In this regard, Rapid Access Prostate Cancer Diagnostic Clinics have been established in each of the eight designated cancer centres. Patients at higher risk are fast-tracked to these clinics, and those patients who receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer have immediate access to a multidisciplinary specialist cancer consultation regarding appropriate management.
A National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019. The Committee’s role is to undertake an independent assessment of the evidence for screening for a particular condition against internationally accepted criteria and make recommendations accordingly.
As part of its body of work the Committee will implement an agreed methodology for accepting applications to consider new, or revisions to, existing population-based screening programmes in Ireland.
The addition of any new population-based screening programmes will be incorporated as part of the Committee's work programme following a robust, methodologically sound and detailed analysis of the evidence in each and every case against internationally accepted screening criteria.
Updates in relation to screening will be posted on the NSAC website (https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/nsac/).
Furthermore, anyone who has concerns in relation to prostate cancer should contact their GP for appropriate referral.
