Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Máire Hoctor, to the Chamber and I thank the other speakers for their contributions. It is apparent that the homework has been done because invariably we all have the same statistics from which to quote. As Senator Feeney stated, it is no harm to repeat a message because it is by repetition and by highlighting statistics that it becomes part of the psyche. Having worked in the health service for many years I am aware that thousands of colonoscopies are carried out each year in South Tipperary General Hospital. The procedure is very successful as a diagnostic aid, but there are simpler ways.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the subject and we are well into bowel cancer awareness month. It is a shame that the debate will be overshadowed by events later today, because this is a very important issue. It is the second most common cause of cancer, as the Minister of State said. Depressingly, it is probably the easiest to treat and detect at an early stage. However, if reaches stage three or four, survival chances diminish rapidly. The most recent figures indicate 900 people die each year from bowel cancer. The figure is that high because it is difficult to detect and because people are not aware of the symptoms. It is always a matter of great surprise to me now because I am of a similar age to Senator Boyle——