Ms Fiona Murphy:

The Deputy is correct that a mammogram is offered every two years. Repeated screenings are important because we do not always detect cancer on the first mammogram. Returning for repeated tests through the ages of 50 to 69 is very important. From that screening, we detect approximately one third of the breast cancers in Ireland, with the other two thirds detected through referrals from GPs to the rapid access breast clinics and so on. The highest proportion of cancer is in that age group of 50 to 69. Dr. McCarthy might talk about this as she has all the relevant data. Particularly when looking at otherwise well and healthy women, this is the age group on which we really want to focus because it gives us the best yield. We will find more cancers among that cohort than others.

As the age reduces, screening becomes more difficult for two reasons. First, the yield is lower. At the moment, we find approximately seven cancers for every 1,000 women we screen. That would be lower as we go down the age range.