Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a much lower incidence of breast cancer in men but it is important that we all become breast aware. The photograph was followed by an informative briefing in the audiovisual room, which was given by cancer nurses from the Irish Cancer Society who gave a practical demonstration on what to look out for in terms of changes in breast tissue, the obvious signs and when to seek help. Obviously, we still have a way to go with tackling cancer. We have the fantastic BreastCheck screening programme that commences examining people at the age of 50. There is an idea to lower the age at which the screening programme commences because 25% of women develop breast cancer when they are under the age of 50. So there a gap in coverage in terms of the national screening programme.

At the briefing, another matter was brought to our attention and it is something on which we must work. If a woman receives a cancer diagnosis following the birth of her baby, she cannot defer her maternity leave. One of the key requests of the Irish Cancer Society is that we introduce the option to defer maternity leave while receiving treatment and dealing with a cancer diagnosis and all that goes with it. I fully support that request. My colleagues and I will do everything that we can to deliver that.