Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider providing the breast check programme from the age of 45 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57996/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The BreastCheck Programme provides free mammograms to all women aged 50-64. The Programme for Government includes the extension of Breastcheck to women in the 65-69 age group, in keeping with EU Guidelines on effective screening for breast cancer.

The NCSS continually reviews and assesses new and emerging evidence in screening benefits, including the optimum age range for screening. In 2009 it commissioned a review of the evidence for reducing the lower screening age limit from 50 to 47 years.The review found that the effectiveness of screening below age 50 remains an issue of debate.

The main priority for the HSE's National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) at present is to maximise national uptake in the 50-64 year age cohort and it aims to extend the upper age range from 65 - 69 in 2014 in keeping with the Programme for Government.

In the meantime women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated specialist cancer centres.