Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I would like to have a national roll-out. Professor Prendeville, who is one of our leading experts in this area, recently said an organised roll-out would be more effective than opportunistic screening, which is currently the case, in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and he believes it could be reduced by 80%. I would like to discuss this issue in the context of the renewal of the contact under the GMS. This programme is being implemented by general practitioners and I would like it to be included as part of a new contract with them.

I do not have current figures on the number of women who die from cervical cancer in Ireland but I have no reason to dispute the figures given by the Deputy. However, population screening in certain areas is successful. Cervical and breast screening highlight that early detection has significant positive effects in preventing the illness or deaths and reducing the seriousness of the illness.

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