Mr. Damien McCallion:

I thank the committee for the invitation to attend this meeting.

I am joined by my colleagues, Professor Ann O'Doherty, who is the national clinical lead for BreastCheck, Professor Arnold Hill, who is the national cancer adviser, and a representative from the Royal College of Surgeons faculty of radiology, Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide.

BreastCheck is one of our four national screening programmes alongside BowelScreen, diabetic retinopathy and CervicalCheck. BreastCheck plays an important role in preventing breast cancer and has identified more than 11,500 breast cancers since the programme commenced in 2000. It meets the highest international standards for breast screening and, following a detailed audit process, the programme has been internationally recognised as one of Europe's leading breast screening programmes. I will now ask my colleague and the national clinical lead for BreastCheck, Professor Ann O'Doherty, to provide more information to the committee on the success of the programme and the future plans for the programme.