Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 184: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will take steps to save the lives of at least 200 women from dying of breast cancer, by making the national treatment purchase fund available to provide a temporary breast screening service to women living in the south and west, pending the full national roll-out of BreastCheck, which is estimated to be 2007 or later; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7014/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Any woman irrespective of her age or residence who has concerns about breast cancer should contact her GP who, where appropriate, will refer her to the symptomatic services in her area. More than €60 million has been invested in the development of symptomatic breast disease services since 2000. This investment has enabled the appointment of additional surgeons with an interest in breast disease, histopathologists and radiologists to enhance the delivery of breast cancer services nationally.

Data supplied by the national cancer registry shows that the overall survival rate from cancer has increased between the periods 1995-1997 and 1998-2000 with the five year survival rate from breast cancer increasing from 73% to 79% over the period.

The full implementation of BreastCheck requires significant capital and human resources including two static clinical units, mobile screening units, multi-disciplinary consultant teams and radiographers together with technical and administrative support. A capital investment of €21 million has been approved to construct and equip the two clinical units and to provide for mobile units. The investment will ensure that breast screening and follow up treatment, where appropriate, is available to all women in the target group throughout the country. I am confident the target date of 2007 for the expansion of BreastCheck nationally will be met. Pending the provision of the necessary facilities and staff, I do not believe that the national treatment purchase fund would be in a position to source providers who could provide a temporary service along the lines suggested by the Deputy.