Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is clear from the debate this evening that right across this House, Members share a commitment and determination to ensure that patients with cancer receive the best care possible and that they and their families are supported to live well with and beyond cancer. I thank all those who have contributed here tonight and those who shared personal stories. I heard Deputy Cullinane from my office when he spoke at the start about his beloved mother whom he lost last year. My own father died 25 years ago from cancer. His anniversary was last Sunday and I have to say that 25 years on it is still difficult, as it is for everyone who shared personal stories here tonight. There is not a family in Ireland that has not been affected by cancer and it is a timely debate.

We want to support families to live well with and beyond cancer. In a nutshell, this is what the national cancer strategy aims to achieve. The vision set out in the national cancer strategy is that, "together, we will strive to prevent cancer and work to improve the treatment, health and well-being, experiences and outcomes of those living with and beyond cancer".

This vision is one in which all aspects of cancer control, from the promotion of healthy living, more specific prevention measures, optimum treatment and quality of life measures across the patient's cancer journey and beyond are addressed, backed up by solid governance, workforce planning and research. The strategy sets out a ten-year roadmap towards the achievement of this vision.

Central to the achievement of this vision is the prevention of cancer wherever possible through the implementation of prevention programmes to reduce the incidence of cancer, an increase in symptom awareness and an increase in the number of cancers diagnosed at an early stage. We all know early intervention is crucial when one is dealing with any type of disease but especially with cancer because the outcomes can be so much more positive if one has early intervention.

The three national cancer screening programmes play a key part in the prevention and early detection of cancer. BreastCheck, CervicalCheck and BowelScreen have evolved and expanded over the years since their establishment, in line with international best practice. Since 2000, BreastCheck has provided more than 1.9 million mammograms to women and detected over 12,200 cancers, more than half of which were diagnosed at an early stage. I paused when I heard Deputy Tóibín compare a breast check mammogram to having one's hair done. For someone who has experienced both I do not think one could compare them.

Since its launch in 2008, CervicalCheck has provided almost 3.2 million cervical screening tests and detected more than 115,000 abnormalities, many of which could have developed into cervical cancer if not detected through screening. Furthermore, the CervicalCheck programme detected 1,500 cancers and detected and treated 64,000 precancerous cell changes between 2008 and 2018.

Since its launch in 2012, BowelScreen has detected 930 cancers and detected and removed 25,350 precancerous growths which if left untreated might have developed into bowel cancer. The resumption of these essential screening programmes is a key priority for me and for the Government. I know Members across this House all share this view because we have heard it here all night.

In the context of the next phase of the pandemic, our priority focus now is to facilitate the return of all cancer services to pre-Covid levels. However, it is important that in resuming services we ensure this happens in a safe and effective way, and in line with overall HSE planning to increase delivery of non-Covid services. CervicalCheck recommenced screening services at the beginning of July with invites being issued in line with programme prioritisation. BowelScreen resumed the issue of new invitations for screening on a phased basis from 4 August. It is projected that BreastCheck will resume within the coming weeks. In the first instance, invitations will issue to those women who were due to be screened during the paused period, beginning with those who have been waiting the longest. The Department has been assured that the national screening service has a plan in place for the safe and effective resumption of the screening programmes.

We are living in unprecedented times. The last six months have been challenging, but notwithstanding those challenges, cancer services have, insofar as possible, been maintained. Covid-19 has forced us to change the way our health services operate, and the way patients interact with our health services. Cancer services have adapted and continue to adapt. Through the extraordinary efforts on the part of our healthcare staff and the national cancer control programme, we have ensured that patients continued to receive essential care.

It is important to add at this point for those who are waiting to be called for screening, if a person feels he or she may have an issue it is important not to stand back and wait but to contact a GP. Obviously, the GP is the first line of defence and can refer a person on so it is important people realise that.

Despite the changed landscape, the vision of the national cancer strategy holds strong, as does our firm commitment to its implementation. The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and I urge all Members of the House to recognise the good work being carried out in this area and to support the ongoing implementation of the national cancer strategy.

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