Results 1-20 of 120 for cervical speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (6 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: In 2009 the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) recommended HPV vaccination for all 12 year old girls to reduce their risk of cervical cancer and in September 2010 the HPV vaccination programme was introduced for all girls in first year of second level schools. The programme provides vaccination for all first year girls. In September 2011 a catch up programme started for all...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: The unprecedented demand in cervical screening in 2018, due to understandable concerns from women as well as increased uptake of screening, has led to long and very regrettable delays in the reporting of results. The HSE has advised me that results are currently being reported on average within 22 weeks of the test being taken. While in some cases results are reported in a shorter period of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (12 Oct 2016)

Simon Harris: ...against infectious disease has saved more lives than any other public health intervention, apart from providing clean water. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated women and girls will still be at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (21 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: Cervical screening tests women for changes in the cells of the cervix using a smear test. Changes are common and cervical screening by smear tests can pick up early cell changes so they can be monitored or treated. The earlier abnormal cell changes are found, the easier they are to treat. Early detection and treatment of changes in the cells of the cervix can prevent cervical cancer. All...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (24 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: .... In relation to the issue of funding private smear reviews, this matter remains under consideration. However, in that context it is important to again re-emphasise the limitations of cervical screening, and the fact that false negative results are an inherent part of any cervical screening programme. Cervical screening will not prevent all cases of cervical cancer and unfortunately...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Incidence (11 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Data from the National Cancer Registry set out in the following table shows the number of cervical cancer cases diagnosed in females under 25 years of age per year and the rate per 100,000 females per year between 2007 and 2016 (latest finalised figures) inclusive.  Incidence of cervical cancer in those under 25 years of age:  Year Number of Cases Number of cases per 100,000...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (2 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: It is estimated that regular cervical screening can prevent 75% of cervical cancer cases. However cervical screening will not prevent all cases of cervical cancer. In the cases of 1,482 women who had been screened and were later given a diagnosis of cervical cancer, CervicalCheck carried out an audit of their previous cervical screening tests. The objective of audit and quality review at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1190, 1191 and 1197 together. Since 2010, as part of quality assurance measures, CervicalCheck reviewed the screening history of every woman notified to it as having a diagnosis of cervical cancer, who had previously been screened by the programme. The objective of audit and quality review at CervicalCheck was to facilitate continued improvement and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Claims Agency Data (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: ...Health Service Executive. On a point of clarity, while the Deputy's question does reference late diagnosis and missed diagnosis, it is important to note that a screening test is not a diagnostic test. Cervical screening aims to prevent cervical cancer through the early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous changes on the cervix. Earlier detection can often increase treatment options,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (9 May 2018)

Simon Harris: Performance of the cervical screening programme is monitored and reviewed on a on-going basis. Each year approximately 250,000 women have a cervical cancer screening and uptake rates reached the target of 80% in 2017. Over 50,000 pre-cancerous changes have been identified and treated arising from CervicalCheck. Incidence of cervical cancer has fallen by 7% annually since 2010. Meanwhile,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (7 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. This is in line with international best practice. Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition in Ireland each year. While changes in the cells of the cervix...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cervical Screening Programme (15 May 2018)

Simon Harris: While I appreciate the need to reassure women in relation to CervicalCheck, the clinical advice from the HSE and my Department is clear that there is no evidence that the clinical and technical aspects of the programme have performed outside or below the quality guidelines set for it, or below international standards. All laboratories contracted by CervicalCheck meet the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme Data (6 Dec 2016)

Simon Harris: ...and public health. This independent committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best practice. Each year in Ireland around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and there are approximately 70 deaths per year. The HPV vaccine protects against two high risk types of HPV (16 & 18) that cause 73% of all cervical cancers. Vaccinated...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (25 Jan 2018)

Simon Harris: ...get a HPV infection during their lifetime and most of these infections will not require further treatment. However, in some women, HPV infections can cause changes in the cervix that can develop into cervical cancer. Every year in Ireland about 300 women get cervical cancer and 90 women will die from it. Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in women aged...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (24 Jan 2019)

Simon Harris: The Deputy will be aware that a Government decision of 11 May 2018 put in place a package of support measures for the women and families affected by the issues related to CervicalCheck. Those measures included medicines which might not be approved for reimbursement including Pembrolizumab, once they are prescribed by the treating clinician. Following that decision, concerns were raised...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (14 May 2019)

Simon Harris: The introduction of primary HPV screening is in line with developments in cervical screening internationally. Ireland will be among the first countries in the world to make this transition. The HSE has been engaging with other countries who have already made the switch – the Netherlands, and Australia - or who are preparing to do so, to identify learnings for the project across a range...

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Claims Agency Data (4 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: ...Deputy's question is now set out below. In relation to the Deputy's reference in his question concerning missed diagnosis, it is important to note that a screening test is not a diagnostic test. Cervical screening aims to prevent cervical cancer through the early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous changes on the cervix. Earlier detection can often increase treatment options, as well...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (13 Nov 2018)

Simon Harris: The issues the Deputy is raising emerged at the outset of issues relating to CervicalCheck. Many women were very concerned and it was vital to examine the facts. That is why the Scoping Inquiry was established, led by Dr Gabriel Scally as an independent expert. The Terms of Reference of the Scoping Inquiry were agreed following cross party engagement and included an examination of the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cancer Screening Programmes (5 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for his question and acknowledge the significant advocacy work he has done in this area. The unprecedented demand for cervical screening in 2018 owing to understandable concerns of women, as well as an increased uptake of screening, has led to long and very regrettable delays in the reporting of results. The fact that new women have opted into the programme for the first...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (16 Feb 2017)

Simon Harris: CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25-60. This is in line with international best practice. Invasive cervical cancer is extremely rare in women aged under 25, with less than 5 women in this age group being diagnosed with this condition in Ireland each year. While changes in the cells of the cervix...