Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she proposes to publish the health technology assessment on a possible bowel cancer screening programme which has been completed by the Health Information and Quality Authority at her request and the recommendations on the roll out of a bowel cancer screening programme prepared by the National Cancer Screening Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19847/09]

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

In April 2007, the National Cancer Screening Service Board (NCSS) established an Expert Advisory Group to study the medical scientific evidence concerning Screening for Colorectal Cancer and to make recommendations to the Board about the desirability of introducing a population-based screening programme. The Board of the NCSS approved the Second (Final) Report of the Expert Group at its meeting on 20 November and it was submitted to me on 3 December 2008.

The Report of the Expert Group could not be comprehensively considered until the completion of the Health Technology Assessment (HTA), carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The Board of HIQA approved the HTA report on 25 March and it was submitted to me on 17 April 2009. The reports will be published when I have completed detailed consideration of the recommendations, the funding required and the method of putting that in place.

Colorectal cancer is the cause of death of approximately 950 people each year in Ireland. This compares to 666 deaths from breast cancer and 1606 deaths from lung cancer, for example. Because of our ageing population and the long time in people's lives over which risk factors are built up, we can expect an increase in the numbers of colorectal cancer cases in the coming years. The National Cancer Registry, in its report on Cancer Projections 2005 to 2035, projects that there will be approximately 3,402 cases of colorectal cancer in 2020.

As with many cancers, early detection and treatment is one of the most effective measures to avoid premature death. Thorough population-based screening programmes are critically important, with proven effectiveness in breast cancer and cervical cancer, where we now have screening programmes being actively rolled out. For these reasons, colorectal screening is my top priority for the next preventive and early detection services in our National Cancer Control Programme. I am pleased to note that the Irish Cancer Society shares this priority and at a recent meeting said that it would actively support a colorectal screening programme.

I intend that it will have the first call on new resources, which will be found principally by cost-saving measures elsewhere. Other priorities for new developments in cancer prevention and early detection will be capable of being implemented to the extent that sufficient cost-saving measures are found. With the benefit of the report of the Expert Group and the Health Technology Assessment, I am now considering the design and implementation of a colorectal screening service in the most cost-effective way.