John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

I accept the six fast-track clinics that have been chosen but those are for people who have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer who can be fast-tracked for treatment. Surely when we are talking about saving money, all the international evidence shows that early intervention saves lives and reduces costs. To go for a simple PSA test without a medical examination costs €20. I have spoken to doctors about this and they say it should be done free because it would not cost the health service a huge amount. Why do people not pay for it? In the current climate, and given that many men are now even aware of it, it would be a small cost to the health budget to roll out national screening, which would inevitably save money for people who would be diagnosed with cancer having to be treated. The 2,500 men who have to be treated each year would be substantially reduced, as has been shown in many countries. This does not make economic sense.

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