Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate and to discuss the causes, effects and prevention of bowel cancer. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. A number of speakers mentioned that we seem to have similar statistics and information regarding symptoms. Repeating them will not hurt, but I will try to keep the repetition to a minimum.

Bowel cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among Irish men and women and the second most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Each year, more than 1,000 men and 800 women are diagnosed with bowel cancer while 500 men and 400 women die from the disease annually. In 2005, 2,184 new cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed and 924 people died from the disease. Most striking is that more than 50% of patients when initially identified as having bowel cancer are diagnosed with stage 3 or 4, which are the most advanced stages and have poor survival rates. In light of this alarming statistic, it is crucial that symptoms are detected early to improve chances of survival.

I congratulate the Irish Cancer Society on its bowel cancer awareness month. I hope that the Government's commitment to tackling the issue and the awareness month will increase public awareness and the number of screening tests. Opportunities such as that presented by this debate increase public awareness, information and education, as does the use of the information and posters forwarded to each Senator by the Irish Cancer Society with the request that we highlight them in the most appropriate manner to those with whom we come into contact.

Ireland has the highest mortality rate for colorectal cancer in western Europe and the fourth highest mortality rate among men worldwide. Yet, if caught early, bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. Screening is essential. However, without an accompanying knowledge and awareness, its full potential will not be realised. Therefore, education about the symptoms is essential. I was struck by Senator Feeney's contribution and her forthright comments on our need to be open and to overcome any apprehension or embarrassment that we might have regarding this subject. She also raised a critical issue for us regarding the need to be educated about practical measures that we can undertake to prevent the occurrence of bowel cancer.

We must promote awareness and education concerning the symptoms. We must send the message that this applies not only to bowel cancer. Through BreastCheck and cervical screening, for example, we have been effective in getting the message across to the public about the importance of early detection. We must ensure that the same message is heard in terms of bowel health.

Many studies have been undertaken and a great deal of information is available from various institutes, including the European Institute of Women's Health, regarding the factors that contribute to the risk of bowel cancer. These include age, a family history of bowel cancer, a diet that is high in fat and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre, lack of physical activity, weight, alcohol consumption and smoking. While early screening is imperative, the situation can be helped by individuals taking care of themselves.

In a study carried out by the Irish Cancer Society in 2008, 36% of people could not name one sign of bowel cancer while four in ten believed that people under 50 years of age are most at risk of developing bowel cancer when 90% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2005 were over the age of 50. This finding highlights the need for education. Without education and awareness, we will not see the potential for screening. Therefore, education and promotion of the awareness of this fatal disease is crucial. I commend the Irish Cancer Society on its work this month and support it in its fight against this common type of cancer.

The Minister of Health and Children, Deputy Harney, asked the board of the National Cancer Screening Service, NCSS, to explore the establishment of a national colorectal cancer screening programme. I welcome her announcement this afternoon that the report of the NCSS is complete and is expected to be with her in the coming weeks. I look forward to learning about its contents and recommendations.

A key advantage of such a programme is that it can detect pre-cancerous adenoma and is, therefore, a preventive health measure. In April 2007, the NCSS established an expert group on colorectal screening to make recommendations on a population-based colorectal screening programme. This group, chaired by Professor Niall O'Higgins, has evaluated the clinical and operational requirements for the establishment of an effective, well organised and quality assured service.

In 2009, Professor O'Higgins remarked that the abundant global evidence "indicates that deaths from colorectal cancer, a common and potentially fatal condition in men and women, can be prevented by high-quality screening". With Professors Wendy Atkin and Robert Steele from the United Kingdom and others, this expert group's clinical recommendations form a basis of a modern, best practice and quality assured screening programme for colorectal cancer. Furthermore, this expert group noted that screening should be introduced as soon as possible, with a national bowel cancer screening programme to be established by January 2011. It should be noted the expert group pointed out that through screening, a number of cancers could be found and a number of preventative actions could be taken to reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. It also should be noted that England and Scotland are in the process of introducing a similar programme at present.

It is worth noting that a survey carried out by the Irish Cancer Society in July 2008 found that 70% of people definitely would attend screening for bowel cancer, were the Government to offer the service free of charge to all adults over the age of 50. I welcome the Government's role in developing the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, for public patients who have been on waiting lists for more than three months. Lists of those waiting more than six months for a colonoscopy now have been reduced by more than 80%, which was a crucial step. Despite the hard economic times the country is experiencing at present, health is an issue that cannot be and will not be ignored by the Government. Both BreastCheck and the cervical cancer screening programme exemplify how screening and tests are crucial for the well-being of Irish citizens and that they are effective.

I welcome the funding allocated and the results that have emerged recently from BreastCheck. All available evidence illustrates that early detection is crucial . Life is precious and one only gets one shot at it. As cancer is one of the biggest causes of deaths in our society, screening will help to increase a family's health and well-being, if the diagnosis is detected early. The most striking and welcome message that can emerge from this debate or from the Irish Cancer Society's bowel cancer awareness week is one of hope. Education, prevention, screening and early detection increase our opportunity to enjoy longer the preciousness of life.