Laura Harmon (Labour)

I thank the Minister for being here for this important discussion. I thank my fellow Senators, especially Senator Costello for all of her advocacy and awareness raising. I am learning so much being part of these discussions in the Seanad. Like many others here, I did not receive any education through school on breast cancer, checking our breasts and what we need to do in terms of minding our health.

When it comes to breast cancer, one of the most important things is getting seen to in a timely manner. Despite the fact that we have more than 3,600 people diagnosed with breast cancer annually in Ireland, which is a 120% increase since the 90s. Despite these high figures, one in four people is left waiting longer than the recommended time, which is ten days, at an urgent symptomatic breast disease clinic. We need to ensure that people get seen to on time.

Another stark figure that was sent to me by the Irish Cancer Society is that those from disadvantaged backgrounds have poorer outcomes when it comes to breast cancer. Those from deprived backgrounds are more at risk of getting diagnosed at a later stage. We see that 83% of those in the most affluent areas are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 compared to 78% in the most deprived areas. This is a five percentage point difference.

We know that cancer screening works. We need to expand it. Nine out of ten people are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 via BreastCheck compared to just seven out of ten in outside screening. The scheme's attendance rate is in line with its target of 70%, but it needs to be expanded in terms of its age range. We must expand this screening from the age of 40 to 74 in line with the European Council's recommendation on strengthening prevention through early detection.

I commend my colleague Senator Cosgrove on the work and campaigning she is doing as regards breast density. There is a lack of awareness of the issue of breast density and how it can mask the cancer cells during screening. We need more awareness, and more work needs to be done to ensure that we are diagnosing people when they need it. We also need to have infrastructure and investment in diagnostic pathways, as committed to in the programme for Government. The Minister outlined in her opening statement that there is work in the pipeline in terms of the workforce in radiology. That has to continue so that we have the proper workforce in place to conduct these screenings.

Ultimately, we need more of an investment in primary care, screening, testing and treatment capacity, with a particular emphasis on staffing in healthcare professionals.