Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been worldwide coverage and publicity given to the decision by the actress Angelina Jolie to have a bilateral mastectomy because she has a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. Her decision to go public is a very brave one and will undoubtedly save the lives of many women across the world. It has also stimulated debate here and elsewhere on the adequacy of DNA screening programmes.

Ireland has a nationwide mammogram screening service for women over 50, which has been very effective and successful, but we do not have a DNA screening programme for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. At the moment, women who have a family history of breast cancer are generally referred to their GPs for advice and may be referred on to one of the eight cancer centres of excellence in the country or be referred to a private centre, where the costs are prohibitive. The Irish Cancer Society has confirmed that there are approximately 360 Irish women who have the relevant mutation in their BRCA genes. The waiting time for such tests to be carried out, at up to 18 months, is excessive due to a shortage of funding. This situation is unacceptable, particularly because any woman who receives a positive test result is in a position to make a decision to have surgery which could dramatically reduce her risk of developing cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer can be reduced from 87% to 5% and the risk for ovarian cancer can be reduced by up to 50%.

A month ago, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, published a report, undertaken at the request of the National Cancer Control Programme, NCCP, which recommended DNA screening for women aged between 30 and 49. Such screening could reduce the number of deaths and would be cost-effective. I ask the Taoiseach to confirm that this DNA screening programme, as recommended by HIQA, will go ahead. Does the Taoiseach accept that the waiting time for testing for BRCA mutations, at an average of 18 months, is totally unacceptable? Will the Taoiseach confirm today that urgent action will be taken to enable this test to be made available within weeks to the women concerned?

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