Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 58: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when colon cancer screening will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20220/10]

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

I am pleased to confirm that the national colorectal cancer screening programme will commence in early 2012. A two-year preparatory period started in January 2010.

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) has responsibility for the implementation of the screening programme and it is working closely with colleagues across the Health Service Executive on preparations for this.

Colorectal screening works on two fronts: it provides early detection and therefore earlier and more effective treatment, and it helps to prevent cancer in the first place by detecting pre-cancerous growths such as polyps.

The screening programme will initially be offered to men and women aged between 60 and 69 years. There are estimated to be just over 400,000 people in this age group. The programme will be extended to all those in the 55-74 year age group as logistics and resources allow.

As part of the two year pre-implementation phase for the programme, the NCSS is undertaking a series of baseline assessment visits nationwide to assess colonoscopy capacity in existing hospital services. Thirty public hospitals expressed an interest in providing colonoscopy services to support a national screening programme and all visits are due for completion by December 2010.

The NCSS is also currently finalising the job description, training and educational requirements for candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP). It is intended that ANPs will ultimately be able to perform colonoscopies as part of the national screening programme.

Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed and around 1,000 people die from the disease each year. A successful national colorectal cancer screening programme has the potential to significantly reduce mortality from this cancer.

I am pleased that work on this important initiative is continuing.