Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to address the serious rise in the incidence of prostate cancer; her plans for the introduction of a national screening service to combat prostate cancer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17609/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The most recent figures available from the National Cancer Registry show that there has been an increase in prostate cancer cases from 6037 to 9216 in the period 1994-1998 to 1999-2003. The National Cancer Registry has informed my Department that most of this increase seems to be due to PSA testing, which is running at around 300,000 tests a year at present. This has the effect of shifting diagnosis to an earlier age, which means that the cancer is being diagnosed on average about three years earlier in 1999-2003 compared to 1994-1998. The most recent mortality data from the Central Statistics Office shows that the number of deaths from prostate cancer increased by an average of 0.5% per year from 1994 to 2004 but when adjusted for population increase and ageing the rate of change was a fall of 0.9% per year.

The National Cancer Control Strategy does not recommend the introduction of a population based screening programme for prostate cancer as there is currently insufficient evidence available. This position is consistent with the Recommendations adopted by the European Union which advocate the introduction of cancer screening programmes which have demonstrated their efficacy having regard to professional expertise and priority setting for health care resources. The EU proposals do not provide for specific recommendations in respect of screening for prostate cancer. My Department and the National Cancer Screening Service will keep emerging international evidence under review including the results of randomised trials that are currently being conducted internationally.

Appropriate treatment for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is available at major hospitals throughout the country. Any man who has concerns in relation to prostate cancer should contact his GP who will, where appropriate, refer him to the appropriate services in his area.