Seanad debates
Wednesday, 19 February 2003
Cancer Screening Programme: Motion.
My commitment is based on principles of equity. Women in the 50-64 age group should have access to the same level and quality of service, regardless of geography. The BreastCheck programme is for women aged between 50 and 64 years. This applies equally to breast screening services, access to breast surgery and oncology drug therapies which combined are essential elements in an effective breast cancer programme. It is the combination of these modalities of care, with radiotherapy, which are required if we are to reduce mortality rates from breast cancer. That is the reason we take issue with the nature of the debate so far on BreastCheck in that there has been an attempt to almost isolate it from every other component part of a breast care programme. That is a huge mistake. Let us remember also that women who present with symptomatic breast disease are entitled to as rapid access to care as those who go through the BreastCheck programme. The combined nature of the different modalities of care coming together is the key point. I will flesh this out later.
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