Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I read with alarm at the weekend about the women in Portlaoise. One newspaper reported that they were to be given their results last week, but this has now been put back by two weeks. What is the position on this? I ask this because the Minister started off her presentation by speaking about the women in Portlaoise.

The Minister has answered my main question on BreastCheck. However, Senator Prendergast spoke today about the possibility of extending the scheme to women over 65. Could we consider, rather than extending the scheme to those over 65 — although I do not wish to leave them out — bringing the minimum age down to 40? Sometimes cancer is more aggressive in younger people than in older people. Perhaps I am wrong in thinking that and if I am, I stand corrected.

On the centres of excellence, would the Minister consider a strong advertising campaign along the lines of the advertisements for drink driving where one must almost switch the channel because they are so graphic? They are terrifying and have a terrible effect. If the Minister were to explain to the wider population just how good centres of excellences are for outcomes by interviewing people who have been treated at these centres, it might get the message across.