Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Health and Children

Cancer Screening Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when screening for colon cancer will be introduced; the progress that has been made in identifying funding for this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1094/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Approximately 2,200 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year and around 1,000 people die of the disease. Because of our ageing population, we can expect an increase in the number of cases in the coming years. As with many cancers, early detection is one of the most effective measures to avoid premature death, which is why population-based screening is so important. The Health Technology Assessment carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) confirmed that population-based colorectal cancer screening would be highly cost-effective and have huge health benefits.

I announced on 15 January that screening will commence in early 2012 following an intensive pre-implementation phase that will start immediately. Screening will initially be provided to those aged 60 to 69 years, covering some 400,000 people in this age group, and will be provided on a national basis irrespective of where people live. Screening will be extended to all those aged 55 to 74 years of age as logistics and resources allow. The 60-69 year age group contains about 50% of all cases of colorectal cancer in the 55-74 year age band.

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) will meet the revenue cost of the necessary preparatory work over the next two years from within its allocation. The NCSS will finalise the funding required for 2010 shortly and will outline this in its Service Plan, which will be submitted to me by the Board.

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