Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister so much for coming to the House to discuss this all-important issue. I compliment her and the Department for their work to date. It has been very proactive. If we look back ten years ago, we can see the difference now. The Minister highlighted the fact that more cancers are being resolved, and it is down to that collaboration between research and science but also with the specialists and teams that are working. There are so many people working in cancer care, from the nurses to the support groups to the oncologists, etc., and the teams who support them.

One of the first things I would like to highlight is the fact that University Hospital Limerick, which is often in the news for the wrong reasons, has a 98% success rate and has surpassed the required number of people it needed to see. There is a very successful programme running there and the support services have been put in place. I highlight that because the hospital can often get the wrong publicity. I acknowledge the staff who are working within the services there.

The Irish Cancer Society is seeking the expansion of the programme, which the Minister referred to, to be in line with European norms. That would mean, perhaps, extending or bringing down the age range. Currently, BreastCheck starts at age 50 and goes up to 69, but the society is looking at it to be brought to age 44 or 45 and expanded to maybe 74 or 75. The Minister highlighted that HIQA will be doing the report. I would love to see that report. While I know it has work to do and it has to be on a scientific basis, it is something I would love to see happening if the scientific evidence shows it. I know people in both age categories who have started because the programme has been successful. I was there recently for my own breast check and it was so efficient.I met so many people going into the service and coming out of it. They were singing its praises. They spoke about its efficiency and how well they were looked after by the team of staff. People are nervous going into it, especially if it is their first time. I know people who were caught through the BreastCheck service who got treatment and came out the other side. It is something that is very important.

I question whether we have enough people going into college. This is a specialist field and it requires surgeons, healthcare workers and nurses - the specially trained staff who work in the sector. How can we, once they have their qualifications, retain them and keep them working in Ireland? It is important to keep people with specialist training in these fields.

Predicting diagnostic pathways is another issue I wish to raise, as well as investing in infrastructure. Some hospitals are far advanced while others are not at the same level. How can we create uniformity and a similar level in hospitals in Ireland? Some places have centres of excellence while others may not have the same level of expertise.

Sometimes, people who are invited for screening by BreastCheck do not turn up. The national figure for attendance is approximately 70%. Is there anything we can do, education-wise, to show people how important it is to go for screening when they get called? It is very important that people go when they are called because there is such a positive outcome. While none of us envisage that we will be diagnosed, four out of every ten or three out of every four who attend are diagnosed. I am sorry; I suspect my figures are wrong. We must put the emphasis on getting people to attend. It is crucial to get people to attend within ten days of being called. That is part of the education piece.

The approach has been holistic. There is a very proactive team in University Hospital Limerick. They are very good at supporting and encouraging people, especially when they receive a diagnosis. It does not just affect the person who is diagnosed; it affects the whole family as well.