James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very pleased to confirm that the colorectal screening programme will commence, as promised, on a phased basis in the fourth quarter of this year. This delivers on a key commitment of the Government.

Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year and it is cause of death in around 950 people each year. Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps. It is therefore imperative that the programme commences and continues on a sustainable basis.

When fully implemented the programme will offer free screening to men and women aged 55 to 74. The programme will begin with the 60 to 69 age group, covering approximately 500,000 people.

The screening programme is the first call-recall screening programme in Ireland to be offered to men as well as women. Organising a national programme of this kind is very complex. To ensure quality and safety it is imperative that the programme is introduced in a carefully managed and monitored way to minimise risks to patients and maximise best clinical outcomes. We will gradually build up the programme to ensure that it is sustainable over time.

A small proportion of those screened will require a colonoscopy, which is the next stage of the screening process. The HSE and my Department have been working together to develop the appropriate capacity in colonoscopy services nationwide for this purpose. At the same time we are working to maintain and enhance the capability of the symptomatic endoscopy service. The focus is on improving quality and access at all publicly-funded screening colonoscopy units, not just for those referred for colonoscopy as part of the screening programme, but for all men and women who require a colonoscopy or any other diagnostic endoscopic procedure. This will be achieved by building sufficient capacity in endoscopy services nationwide to sustain the implementation of the national screening programme, while maintaining and enhancing the symptomatic service.

I regard the colorectal screening programme as a national priority. I am pleased that it will now go ahead and I am committed to supporting it as it develops.

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