Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I fully support this Sinn Féin motion. If we implement its recommendations, we will save lives. Like many Deputies, I have received correspondence, particularly from women who are most anxious about the delay in BreastCheck and cervical screening. I accept that, because of Covid-19, we have major challenges but we need to strike a balance and respond in an equitable and efficient way to the health needs of all our population, Covid patients and non-Covid patients alike. In that context, I would like to emphasise the absolute need to restart BreastCheck as soon as possible, or immediately, and to ensure all screening programmes return to their pre-Covid levels. How often have we heard that screening saves lives? It does. We know that any delay in restarting BreastCheck, cervical cancer screening and colon cancer screening, which are still limited, will cost lives. I am not attributing blame for that but saying it because detecting cancer at an early stage ensures shorter and less invasive treatment, fewer days in acute hospitals and, critically, better outcomes for patients and fewer deaths.

Bowel screening is carried out at home, and further consultation can be carried out online or by telephone. The Minister, in his response, was not sure about the need for further resources but surely putting further resources towards bowel screening would make a difference.

Has any thought been given to mobile units for BreastCheck or cervical cancer screening? I can remember attending a mobile unit. It might be unprecedented but we have to have an unprecedented response.

We heard many statistics here tonight regarding cancer. I would like to cite one or two figures from the European Cancer Information System. These are projections but they are accurate forecasts. The organisation estimates that, in 2020 in Ireland, over 3,400 women will develop breast cancer. Over 1,300 women will develop colorectal cancer, and over 1,850 men will develop colorectal cancer. The question we have to answer this evening is how many of those cases, if they go undetected, will lead to death.

I am particularly concerned about BreastCheck. Back in 2016, its then clinical director stated: "BreastCheck can only be effective in achieving its goal of reducing the number of mortalities from breast cancer in the population if at least 70 per cent of eligible women attend for screening." Will the number this year be even half that?

10 o’clock

On 17 June in this House, the then Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, said the four screening programmes were finalising their plans for a phased reintroduction of screening. What has happened to BreastCheck? We are now just one week short of three months since the then Minister told us they are finalising their plans. He also said he was 100% committed on that day to a catch-up campaign and an information campaign. All l can say is that we still await evidence of this.

I am aware the Minister of State does not have a magic wand but the ask in this motion is perfectly reasonable and I believe it will make a positive difference to outcomes. I have not seen the Minister of State's counter-motion but I ask that she and the Government make that difference.

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