Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health If he will consider extending the rapid access clinics that were rolled out to help early detection of prostate cancer to other acute hospitals across the country; if he will take into consideration the success of the new clinics where one in three men referred for rapid assessment of prostate cancer were diagnosed with the disease, thus ensuring that these men are having their cancer diagnosed and treated earlier, which should lead to better outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52761/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE-National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is responsible for the implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy which aims to achieve better cancer prevention, early detection and treatment that maximise survival through a co-ordinated national service, based on international evidence and best practice. Under the Programme there are four designated cancer control networks and eight cancer centres nationally.

The Programme is working to ensure that designated cancer centres for individual tumour types have adequate case volumes, expertise and concentration of multidisciplinary specialist skills. By September this year, 1,804 men had attended the Rapid Access Clinics, with 750 men diagnosed. The service fast tracks patients into the system ensuring that men are provided with their diagnosis within an appropriate timeframe. For the vast majority of men who do not have cancer, that short timeframe reduces the anxiety that any waiting period involves. Men who are diagnosed have their treatment options discussed and considered by an expert multidisciplinary team who ensure that the patient is given all the options and all the information on the best approach to be taken.