Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to speak about breast cancer screening and symptomatic breast cancer services for younger women. There is a rise in younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer and we need to move with the times when dealing with this. Last week, on 4 February, we marked World Cancer Day. This year, the story of a young women, Ziva Cussen, was covered in the media. She went to her GP with a lump on her breast and at times was reassured there was nothing to worry about. It took six months for a scan to take place. At that point Ziva's cancer had spread to her bones and she had a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Ziva's case is not an isolated incident of a young woman presenting with a symptom of breast cancer and not being scanned in a timely manner. At 36, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer after presenting with a lump. My GP referred me to St. James's Hospital to err on the side of caution but he was not concerned because of my age. At that time other women in my community of Tallaght were being diagnosed with breast cancer, including my dear friend Fiona aged 37 who was referred quickly because we had the same GP who knew the importance of referring a young girl on. I think of Fiona today. Tomorrow is her second anniversary. Nicola, aged 28, had two lumps. She was dismissed as having a cyst or a blocked milk duct.She insisted on her referral and six weeks later was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

There are approximately 3,700 new cases of breast cancer annually in Ireland, with 23% of these cases diagnosed in women between 20 and 50 years of age. The number of younger women being diagnosed is increasing. The key message we hear in every conversation about breast cancer is “Early detection saves lives”. Breast checks should be extended to women from the age of 40, and I want change for women in their 20s and 30s in how they are dealt with when they present with breast cancer signs.

I have lived through the illness. I know how frightening it is to find a lump, and I know I am very lucky to be here today. I will not stop advocating until young women no longer feel dismissed, their concerns are taken seriously and they get the care and attention they deserve when they present with symptoms of breast cancer.

I request that the Leader invite the Minister for Health in to have a debate on cancer services.