Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have one question before we finish up. We all accept that screening works. I still cannot understand those people who have the chance of going for a screening and do not turn up. Three out of every ten people do not turn up. Has any survey been done as to why people do not turn up? I know one person who ended up subsequently dying of cancer, someone very close to me, who was not able to get time off work. I know of other people who said they had challenges finding someone to mind children, particularly in the case of lone parents. If the kids are at school there would be an opportunity there. If screening works, and we have heard the evidence today that the outcomes are much better for people who have had breast cancer than they were a number of years ago. That is the same in the case of any cancers. I have had cancer twice. I took an interest in my own health. If I had not done that it probably would not have been spotted. Is there anything we can do, such as surveys, for those people who for whatever reason do not turn up, to try to increase their participation? Are we satisfied that three out of every ten do not turn up? What is the view of NCCP on that? As a committee we thank all the witnesses, and all of those involved in the BreastCheck service. We are not being at all critical of those involved in the screening. We recognise the challenges facing them and everyone involved in the programme with the challenge of Covid-19. We also thank those involved in the charitable and voluntary end of things. I know of one group in my own constituency, Tallaght cancer support group, which is homeless at the moment and looking for a premises, so if anyone knows of a premises, please let us know. There are such groups all over Ireland which help people and it is important today, for the day that is in it, that we also recognise that.

The other positive message from our witnesses is that the survival rates are much better. The earlier you find the cancer the better your chance of survival. That is the message. To get back to the no-shows, is there anything else that we can do in that regard?

Does anyone wish to reply?