John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a citation or reference for the three most relevant primary scientific studies from the 250 articles referenced by her (details supplied) that support the strategy of centralising breast cancer care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22077/08]

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 230: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a citation or reference to a primary scientific study for the statement she made on local radio (details supplied) that a specialist unit like that proposed for Galway can deliver a 20% better outcome for breast cancer patients than the existing unit in Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22078/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

The reference to 20% improved outcome can be found in the summary of the Report on the Development of Services for Symptomatic Breast Disease (2000). This document is the Report of the Sub Group to the National Cancer Forum. The Report was prepared by Professor Niall O'Higgins, Dr Ann O'Doherty and Dr Bernadette O'Keeffe. The Report was approved by the National Cancer Forum, which was chaired by Professor James Fennelly.

Professor O'Higgins subsequently chaired the group which produced the National Quality Assurance Standards for Symptomatic Breast Disease Services (2006) which were approved by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). These standards recommend that specialist breast centres should provide care/service to more than 150 newly diagnosed patients with primary breast cancer per year. This is in keeping with European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (EUSOMA) guidelines on the requirements of a specialist breast centre.

I have full confidence in the work of Professor O'Higgins and other leading experts who have assisted and advised in the preparation and implementation of the Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland. This group included a range of specialists covering all regions of the country and all relevant disciplines.

In relation to scientific studies supporting the strategy of centralizing breast cancer care services, there is a wealth of evidence to support this from Irish experts such as Professor O'Higgins and the other experts who informed the National Cancer Forum and also from many international sources. Professor O'Higgins' first report on "The Development of Services for Symptomatic Breast Disease" cites over 90 scientific references for various aspects of breast cancer services, some of which relate to specialist centres.

From recent debates and media coverage on the management of breast cancer services there has been very strong support for the concept of a specialist centre where a woman can be guaranteed that her initial diagnosis and treatment will be managed by a multidisciplinary team, which should predict complications and be familiar with all relevant investigations and treatment for the disease. Women attending the centres will know that they are in the hands of highly-skilled consultants and nurses who have access to all the resources necessary to achieve the best results possible in terms of survival rates.

The National Library of Medicine in the US is the primary source of evidence from scientific studies in health care. It can be accessed through the PUBMED gateway. A search using the key words breast cancer survival surgical volume identifies close to 200 papers. Professor O'Higgins has cited many other publications not included in this source, such as consensus guidelines from bodies including the British Association of Surgical Oncologists and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK.