Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce a screening programme for bowel cancer for 60 to 69 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12672/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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National population based screening programmes for cancer are considered where clear evidence exists of benefit to the health of the whole population to be screened. There is evidence in relation to some specific cancers which show that population based screening can improve population health in terms of survival, morbidity and quality of life. Population based screening programmes for two specific cancers, breast and cervical, have demonstrated their efficacy and planning is underway for the national rollout of these two programmes to all regions in the country.

I received the Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006 from the chairman of the National Cancer Forum in January this year. As part of this work, the forum developed a framework for evidence based decision making in relation to the introduction of population based screening programmes and applied the agreed criteria to colorectal cancer screening. I am currently examining the strategy with a view to bringing proposals to Government. I expect to have the strategy published shortly.