Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is the nub of it.In my initial response, there was a point regarding the development of GP referral guidelines for those with family histories of breast cancer, including pathways from primary to secondary care. That is ultimately what we are talking about. Primary care is where people who have such a concern about their family history but who do not have any symptoms and who want to get checked as a purely preventative measure should go. People can be saved the pain and suffering of going through treatment for a preventable cancer by means of early intervention. Treatment can be much less invasive and those affected can have a much better quality of life. In cold economic terms, it also results in a big saving for the State and reduces pressure on our health system where these conditions can be prevented or where early intervention can help. It therefore makes economic sense as well as providing an obvious benefit for individuals and their families. We have all had family members affected by cancer and we are all personally very keen to see the national cancer strategy progressed. I will bring the specific points the Senator raised in her supplementary question back to the Ministers.