Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

It is recognised that the early detection of cancer by screening is one of the strategic areas of cancer prevention. Clinical trials of specific screening methods have been shown to be effective in detecting breast and cervical cancer.

Breast cancer has now overtaken both lung and bowel cancer to become the second most common cancer in Ireland. Women in the Republic are suffering because of the failure to extend BreastCheck nationally. The national breast screening programme commenced in February 2000 and to date it has only been rolled out in very small pockets of the country. We know from our neighbours in Northern Ireland, where the cancer screening programme was rolled out some time ago, that the rate of cancer there is considerably lower than in the South.

I would like to refer specifically to County Kerry. Deputy McManus recently organised a seminar in Tralee which was attended by approximately 250 people. Women in County Kerry are very concerned about their health, and rightly so. The rate of breast cancer in Kerry is among the highest in the country. Treatment in the county is symptomatic because women are only treated when they find a lump or when their GP refers them for a mammogram to Tralee. There are no screening services in the county. As the Minister of State will be aware, if cancer is undetected, it will get larger and spread. However, if it is detected early, it can be treated successfully, and there is less need for mutilating surgery, which is very important for women. Lack of screening services in Kerry is leading to more deaths and more mutilating surgery, which is very distressing for women.

The number of full mastectomies in Kerry is much higher than in the rest of the country. This is another factor which should be considered seriously. Each year, approximately 60 new cases of breast cancer are presented in the county. Given the population of the county the fact that there are no screening services means at least another 30 people do not present themselves for a check. Unfortunately, it is too late for many of these people when their GP becomes suspicious that a lump in the breast could be cancerous.

I appeal to the Minister of State, who comes from the southern area, to use his influence to ensure the current timescale of the end of 2008, when it is expected to have a screening programme in Kerry, is brought forward considerably. There is no doubt that this will be a big issue in the next election. Commitments in this regard were given by the Government. Prior to the last election, the people of Kerry were told that a screening programme would be put in place within two years, but now they must wait for more than six years for such a programme. At the time, a clear commitment was given to the women of Kerry, but it has not been honoured and people are furious. While people may not be affected themselves, they know of women who have died unnecessarily from cancer.

I thank Deputy Twomey for raising this issue. As a medical doctor, he is well aware of the distress and the number of deaths breast cancer causes throughout the country. Deputies from many parts of the country will be aware of people who have died from breast cancer or who have had their breast removed. From discussing the issue with women, we know at first-hand and can relate in the House this evening the stories of women who have breast cancer. I hope the Government will take note of what has been said.

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