M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. Each year more than 600 deaths occur from breast cancer, which accounts for approximately 18% of cancer deaths. BreastCheck goes some way towards ensuring that women, particularly in the age group 50 to 64, have a chance of being screened and checking out the problems at an early stage. The national breast screening programme began in 1998. So far a large number of women are alive who possibly would not be but for this national programme.

Identifying and treating the disease at an early stage is the purpose of the BreastCheck programme. I am pleased to note that this month the mobile unit for the south east began BreastCheck in Carlow. I understand that screening will begin in Kilkenny early next year. Since screening began, more than 167,000 women have been invited to be screened, yet it is extraordinary to think that of that number, only 120,000 have availed of the service, which is 77% of those in the age bracket 50 to 64. I am surprised that there is not 95% or 100% up-take of the service.

There is a case to be made for an even greater public awareness programme for women in this age group. While the authorities concerned have made many efforts to highlight and publicise the BreastCheck campaign, we must examine how we can reach, encourage and educate more women to avail of this service.

I am pleased the Minister intends to expand the programme to make screening available to women over the age of 64. Currently the target age is 50 to 64. When this has been achieved, perhaps the programme will be extended to the age group over 64. Professional advice suggests that it is more beneficial to screen people over 65 than under the age of 50. I listened to a radio programme recently where there were complaints that women under the age of 50 were not being invited to attend the BreastCheck screening programme.

I support the Minister and her Department in respect of the pilot cervical screening programme which was introduced in the former Mid-Western Health Board area.

The National Cancer Forum is currently preparing a new national cancer strategy and has concluded that the current arrangement for delivery of cancer services is not generally in accordance with best practice and must be addressed.

International experience with regard to oncology surgery, in particular in respect of complex procedures, is that it should be limited to hospitals with adequate case volume, an appropriate skills mix and support services in the various areas of care. This is one of the reasons given as to why there is no radiotherapy unit in the south east. I support the case made by my colleagues at Waterford Regional Hospital for this particular service and ask the Minister to look favourably on it.

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