Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their positive contributions and many suggestions which I will take on board. This debate about cancer awareness on National No Smoking Day is timely. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Ireland. Therefore, giving up smoking is one of the most, if not the most, important actions people can take to protect their health and reduce their risk of developing cancer and other serious illnesses. This debate presents an opportunity to reiterate that message.

Cancer awareness means being aware of what we can do to reduce our risk of developing cancer. It also means being aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer and seeking medical advice promptly. As many have said, prevention and early detection are central to the fight against cancer. In this regard, various charities play a very important role in society. They do this by raising awareness through various high profile campaigns such as the ongoing Marie Keating Foundation's breast cancer awareness campaign or the Irish Cancer Society's recent lung cancer awareness campaign. Such organisations play a pivotal role in providing up-to-date and accurate information and advice. These charities, with others such as Europa Donna, are to be commended for their efforts.

Cancer is a great burden on Irish and European society. Most people, at some stage in their lives, will be affected by it as a result of the diagnosis of a friend or family member with cancer or because they will become one of the 23,000 people diagnosed with invasive cancer each year in Ireland. However, there are many positives in cancer care. It is important to note that cancer has become a disease which people can expect to survive. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, has made it a priority to work towards the continuing improvement of cancer services. In recent years she has allocated considerable resources to cancer services and screening. With regard to services for those diagnosed with cancer, more than €56 million in development moneys has been provided for cancer programmes since 2007 to enhance and reorganise cancer services. The fact that an additional €20 million has been provided for cancer control measures this year, despite the difficult economic position, demonstrates the priority the Government accords to cancer services. The funding will be used for the development of a number of services, including those dealing with rectal cancer and brain tumours, and the further development of lung and prostate cancer services.

With regard to screening, BreastCheck and CervicalCheck are now national programmes. I strongly urge those eligible to avail of screening and respond to the invitations issued. The Minister also announced in January that work would commence on the introduction of two important screening and preventive programmes, namely, the HPV vaccination programme and the new colorectal cancer screening programme. Both programmes have been shown, through a health technology assessment by HIQA, to be cost effective and the decision to move ahead with them this year represents very good news.

I take the opportunity to remind people that screening programmes are aimed at those who do not have symptoms. Anyone who is concerned about his or her health should attend a GP who will refer him or her on, as appropriate. As has been said, it is important not to delay as early detection can significantly improve outcomes.

Senator Fitzgerald referred to waiting times. Those waiting for a colonoscopy are mainly non-urgent cases. In almost all cases urgent cases are being seen within four weeks. Last year the Minister introduced a target of 100% of urgent cases being seen within four weeks. Colorectal screening will be provided in ten to 12 centres around the country.

Senator O'Malley questioned the treatment of cancer in cancer care centres. Diagnosis is made by a multidisciplinary team and treatment provided based on clinical need. A major aim of the cancer programme was to provide an equitable system of diagnosis and care, regardless of where a person lived.

Many Senators referred to the use of sunbeds. The Minister intends to introduce legislation to ban the use of sunbeds by young people under 18 years of age. I urge her to prioritise such legislation.

The issue of placing pictorial adverts on cigarette packets was mentioned. This is provided for under the Tobacco Control Act. The regulations are being drafted with the assistance of the Attorney General.

Senator Ó Brolcháin referred to the National Cancer Registry which plays a key role in the examination of data and research. Its director, Dr. Harry Comber, is chairman of the scientific committee of the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Some €170,000 in lottery funding was provided for the Sligo bus service in late 2008.

Regarding the HPV vaccination programme, in mid-January the Minister for Health and Children announced her decision to commence vaccination of girls in first year. Additional funding has been made available to the HSE to allow the programme under which 30,000 girls will receive three doses of the vaccine each year to be delivered as announced. The HSE is working closely with the Department of Health and Children to finalise the plan and the necessary arrangements which must be put in place to allow the programme to commence before the summer. Staff in the HSE who will carry out the HPV vaccination programme are completing the swine flu vaccination programme and also vaccinating additional school-age children with the MMR vaccine. This latter requirement arises because swine flu vaccination necessitated a delay in the MMR vaccination programme in certain areas and from the fact that in recent weeks there has been a significant rise in the number of measles cases, especially among the Traveller population. Each of these vaccination requirements is being considered. There is significant potential in the delivery of the vaccine, namely, in the prospect of it being delivered by nurses and at the same time as other vaccines provided for children in the school setting. Both developments will offset the impact on resources required for the programme and any possible impact on other services provided by these staff. These specific aspects form part of the details being finalised by the HSE. Yesterday the Department of Health and Children received a document from the HSE outlining a number of options for implementation of the HPV vaccination programme. An agreed plan, based on the commitments given by the Minister, will be finalised shortly.

Senator McFadden made a point about lowering the age group for mammography screening. There is limited evidence for the efficacy of screening women aged 40 to 49 years in reducing mortality from breast cancer.

It is fair to say services for the detection and treatment of cancer have never been better. As stated, up to one third of cancers may be preventable. It is true that healthy lifestyles do not guarantee continuing good health but, especially on National No Smoking Day, it is important to bear in mind that a significant impact on the incidence of cancer could be made by individuals making a change in personal lifestyle that would reduce their risk of developing cancer.