Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Private Members' motion on cancer services. I congratulate the Government on the proactive approach it has taken over the past ten years in the fight against cancer. We must deal in facts on this issue. It is a fact that more than €1 billion has been invested in the battle against cancer since the first national cancer strategy was established in 1997. It is also worth remembering that more than 100 consultants have been appointed in the three key areas of cancer care, namely, oncology, radiotherapy and surgery. These are the three pillars of cancer fighting and each must be developed to the maximum.

However, there is another aspect of the fight against cancer that I would like to focus on, namely, the early detection of this malignant disease. This is best achieved by screening. The implementation of effective, fully evaluated and cost analysed methods of screening is essential if the ravages of cancer are to be overcome. BreastCheck uses a proven method of screening for breast disease in women. I am delighted that the roll-out of this essential service in the south and west will commence in a few months. I welcome the €8 million which the Government has allocated for this. Construction of the two regional units, in Cork and Galway, is under way. The Galway unit will cover the west and north west, and construction commenced last year. This is the physical manifestation of the fact that the roll-out is on target. The purchase of five additional mobile units will ensure that those areas of the country outside the range of the regional centres will have the full benefits of BreastCheck. Women living in areas such as Sligo-Leitrim will be able to avail of this service from the start of the national roll-out this summer.

I want to refer to screening for cancer of the cervix. As we all know, cervical cancer is on the increase. An effective screening procedure is available and a pilot screening project has been available for women in the mid-west area during the period January 2001 to December 2006. This pilot project is currently being evaluated and I understand the results are encouraging. It is essential that the expansion of this much needed programme to the rest of the country is commenced as soon as possible. I ask the Minister to ensure that the full national cervical screening programme is in place by the end of 2007. I warmly welcome the €5 million provided by the Government to facilitate this roll-out.

However, it is important that this is not a partial roll-out, as occurred under the BreastCheck programme. All women in the country, irrespective of where they live, are entitled, and demand, this essential cancer screening service. It must be available to all women at the same time. We have seen in the past the geographic inequalities that resulted from a partial roll-out of BreastCheck. After the strong case made by various public representatives from the west and south, including me, I am delighted that this inequality is about to be corrected with the commencement of BreastCheck in these areas. From repeated representations made to me, I know how much the women in Sligo and Leitrim, as in other areas, need this essential service.

I warmly welcome the commencement of BreastCheck in the summer. I urge that the commencement of the national screening programme for cervical cancer be commenced in 2007.

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