Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)

I thank the officials for coming in today. On earlier diagnosis, I would like to talk about lobular cancer. It accounts for 10% of breast cancer cases. The problem is that when you have dense breasts, this cancer is very hard to detect. Women are going for mammograms and being told they are all clear. They are then leaving and not realising that they could have cancer within them. They are not even being told the density of their breasts or that they could go on further. Why are we so reliant on the mammogram so much when these women would need ultrasound or clinical breast exams? When you see the breast density, you know it could be the case that there is something there, but you are giving them the all clear. Lots of these women are only finding out their information through online support groups because it is a lived experience. In creating a new strategy, could these support groups be included among the stakeholders? They do have information and lived experience. They are helping these women.