Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for their presentations. Like other colleagues, I want to thank them for the phenomenal work they have been doing during what has been a particularly challenging time for the health service.

Many issues have been covered and I thank the witnesses for the phenomenal information they have given us. The issue I wish to raise is the connection between breast cancer and alcohol consumption. We know there are some risk factors for breast cancer over which we have no control, for example, getting older, family history, etc. Considerable evidence has been come to the fore recently which shows that even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase a women’s risk of breast cancer. It is only one risk factor for developing breast cancer but the reality is that it is one that can be controlled.

It is estimated that one in eight breast cancer cases in Ireland is linked to alcohol, which is quite high. It is not well known that the risk of breast cancer is greater among women who start drinking at an early age. Women who drink two standard drinks a day through their teens and early twenties are three times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who do not drink. It is quite concerning that the Healthy Ireland survey found that just 16% of women aged between 15 and 24 are aware that alcohol can cause breast cancer, which is a very low number.

The NCCP carries out many awareness campaigns, and prevention is better than cure. Is there a need for a much stronger awareness campaign to ensure more people know of the impact that alcohol has on breast cancer, particularly for young women? There was an awareness campaign last year, but is more awareness raising and a stronger campaign required around the impact? The evidence is huge. Even low levels of alcohol consumption can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. People need to know that.