Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to get on to the positive news that was announced yesterday. The use of the Oncotype DX cancer test, in the cases of 300 people, has saved the HSE ¤856,000 in one year. Ireland was the first country in Europe to use this test to elucidate whether cancer patients need chemotherapy. Approximately 50% of women who were tested avoided the need for chemotherapy. It has saved lives. Senators know what people go through when they are subjected to chemotherapy. Irish patients are more likely to benefit from early chemotherapy and hormonal treatment as a result of the use of this test. Ireland was the first country in Europe to use it. The first result was announced yesterday by the Minister, Deputy Reilly. He congratulated the doctors who were involved. He advised that this be used more widely. Senator Kelly spoke about patients who have been sent three or four letters. That is a bad waste of money. A new system, whereby patients can be texted, is coming on stream. Many patients do not turn up for appointments. They waste hospital money. The Minister is trying to redress this.