David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann: notes that:

— this State has the third highest rate of cancer in the world with more than 43,000 cancers diagnosed on an annual basis;

— the importance of catching cancer early is indisputable;

— fewer than 100,000 people were screened in the first half of this year compared to 500,000 in all of 2019, with the National Screening Service saying that they are ‘unable to screen people at the same numbers’ as they did pre-Covid-19; and

— medical oncology services are operating at about 70 per cent with cancer surgeons treating a much-reduced number of patients than usual;

agrees that:

— before Covid-19, crucial targets in the National Cancer Strategy were missed relating to timely access to diagnostics, surgery, radiotherapy and screening;

— there have been significant delays in cancer screening at CervicalCheck, BreastCheck and BowelScreen with the phased resumption of services varying depending on the screening programme and capacity; and

— the postponement of screening and lack of clarity is causing huge additional anxiety for patients and their families while also contributing to growing waiting lists for cancer tests and treatment; and

calls for:

— an immediate review of the National Cancer Strategy to address capacity deficiencies and to lay out a timeline for catch-up on new and delayed cancer care with targets;

— the reversal of historic underinvestment in cancer care to meet targets set under the National Cancer Strategy; and

— additional funding to be made available for capacity protection measures to deliver cancer care in a Covid-19 environment.

Every time I stand up and wear this mask I must remind the Minister of the campaign for 24-7 cardiac care for Waterford. I will take every opportunity I can to raise the issue with him.

In tabling the motion, I recognise that those who are running our cancer treatment and screening services throughout the State are doing a first-class job. I also recognise we will have a very big challenge in the State in the weeks and months ahead in delivering Covid care and non-Covid care and attempting to catch up on all the missed care and missed screening services that have resulted from Covid-19.

Unfortunately, Ireland's cancer rates are the third highest in the world. On average, more than 43,000 cancers are diagnosed on an annual basis. Cancer related deaths account for almost one third of all deaths every year and one in nine people dies of cancer before the age of 75. This is a stark reality of cancer in Ireland. The importance of catching cancer early is indisputable and in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic we all know there have been significant delays in cancer screening services and in treatment.

In 2019, 500,000 people were screened for cancer. We are on track to screen fewer than half of that number this year. According to the Irish Cancer Society, approximately 450 cancers and 1,600 pre-cancers would have been detected in a typical four month period if the screening services had been operating as normal. We are running the risk of denying hundreds of people the urgent care they need to have a good quality of life and, in some cases, to survive. This is not inevitable. I completely understand that screening is not a diagnosis but general population screening is a very important tool in fighting cancer. The pathway from screening to a diagnosis and services is critical.

To make matters worse, medical oncology services are operating at a reduced capacity, and some experts say it is as low as 70%, meaning cancer surgeons are treating a much reduced number of patients this year. We have to rapidly invest in cancer services and capacity to kick start the national cancer strategy and the national cancer control programme. These are historically underfunded, with the national cancer strategy receiving less than 4% of the necessary development funding in its first three years. When the Minister was an opposition health spokesperson he also raised the issue that we are not meeting the targets that have been set with regard to speedy access to treatment, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and screening. The reason we are not meeting the targets in the national cancer strategy is that we are not providing the funding. I read in the ministerial brief that the Department had asked for more than €40 million in recent years for the national cancer programme but received only €3 million or €4 million. We need to make the investments. Unfortunately, without immediate action, we will see avoidable cancer deaths.

We all accept and acknowledge the pandemic presented challenges that none of us could ever have envisaged. The public paused their daily lives and we stayed away from friends and loved ones while our State agencies and front-line healthcare workers worked around the clock to keep us safe. The efforts of everyone in the battle against this pandemic are to be lauded. It was, and continues to be, all hands on deck.

I lost my Mam to cancer in January last year, and I remember when she went for her scan she was not expecting to get the news that she did. She had no idea what was wrong with her. I remember very well the fear we had and the urgency we sensed was there to make sure she got the treatment she needed. I know first hand, as do many people in the Chamber as we all have loved ones who have suffered from cancer, that timely access is important.

We are looking for a number of things through the motion. These include the funding necessary to kick start the national cancer strategy. We have called for €20 million of additional funding for this. We also need additional funding of €10 million to provide cancer care in a Covid environment and another €10 million to provide screening services. If we have any chance to catch up and keep up, these investments must be made. We are being constructive in bringing forward the motion and we hope the Government is in a position to accept it.

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