Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this issue. It has been brought to my attention that other parts of the world have self-awareness programmes for young people, particularly in respect of cancer. I appreciate that the Minister of State of the Department of Education and Science is present in the Chamber. Some might say the relevant Department is the Department of Health and Children but I specifically raised the matter with regard to social, personal and health education, SPHE, and civic, social and political education, CSPE, classes. It is important to promote the concept of cancer self-screening among young people, with a particular focus on young adults. Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. The WHO estimates that, without intervention, 84 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015. Intervention is the key word. Given the sheer magnitude of such a startling statistic, it is imperative we develop strategic efforts to enable the early detection of cancer. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment and the greater the opportunity for a cure.

In raising this matter I call for the development of a strategy on self-screening aimed at and for introduction in secondary schools with the objective to educate young men and women on how to carry out self-screening examinations. For example, in the US medical professionals come into classrooms with sample body parts made of latex or some such substance, similar to prosthetics, with different sized lumps. The children are encouraged to examine the prosthetics and know what a cancerous lump feels like as an early problem or an advanced problem. It teaches young male and female students to know what they are looking for. As part of the social, personal and health education syllabus, students are given support towards personal development, health and well-being and are aided in the promotion of physical well-being. In our days at school all of us remember horrific embarrassing moments where nuns tried to teach us and the priests took boys away for the class. Matters have moved on significantly since then and the SPHE syllabus allows students to become more in tune with personal development, especially with regard to the development of their bodies.

As with all types of cancer, prevention is better than cure. Within the remit of the SPHE class, students should be allowed to carry out a breast or testicle self-examination and most importantly informed what they should be looking for. Medically, it is advised that young women should begin breast self-examinations once a month, starting in their late teens from the age of 18 to 20 years. It has been advised that young male teenagers should carry out self-examinations of their testicles starting at the age of 15, to be carried out on a monthly basis. Self-examination will help individuals become aware of their own bodies and in turn means they will recognise changes that may have occurred. I ask the Minister of State if he will consider such a change to the SPHE syllabus to allow for such information and demonstrations to be given.

Such a delicate subject may be intimidating for some teachers so perhaps a trained medical representative would be best suited. However, I understand this would be up to the discretion of the school and board of management. The consequence of putting such a syllabus in place will be of great benefit in the battle against cancer as it will mean that symptoms are detected early and thus will be treated early, hopefully before the cancer becomes too serious. In Ireland and in Europe generally, one in three people will develop cancer at some stage in life. On consideration of this startling fact, it cannot be stressed enough how important it is for men and women to check their bodies regularly. This can only be done though education. Inspiring young men and women to be more proactive with regard to their physical health and well-being will not only open up a line of communication but will also undoubtedly significantly reduce the numbers of cancer-related deaths in Ireland.

All of us want to see the economic benefits of dealing with less cancer in the future but more importantly we want to see greater survival rates in the future. This is not the most sensitive topic I can raise in the Chamber but an existing programme can be expanded and this is a matter of life and death. Therefore, it is important to the development of young people and, if sensitively handled, it could be an important step for the Department.