Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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544. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the national cancer care guidelines regarding a 12 week period of referrals for routine cases; and if such a waiting time for an 18 year old with a lump on her breast is too long, in view of the stress such a wait would cause to a girl so young. [26725/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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National GP referral guidelines have been developed for breast, lung, and prostate cancers. The purpose of the agreed guidelines is to prioritise patients who present to their GP with suspected cancer. These guidelines are based on best international evidence.

Patients presenting to GPs with symptoms and signs suggestive of breast cancer are normally seen by a Consultant within 2 weeks. One of the key determinants in assessing the degree of risk is the age of the patient, as a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Breast cancer is extremely rare in women under 25 years of age. The Report of the National Cancer Registry of Ireland on Breast Cancer Incidence, Mortality, Treatment and Survival in Ireland 2005-2009 records that no woman in the 15-24 year age group was diagnosed with breast cancer during that period. All young women presenting with a breast lump to their GP are referred for investigation to the Symptomatic Breast Service. If a GP is particularly suspicious that a lump is in fact cancer it is open to her/him to liaise directly with the local cancer centre in regard to a more urgent appointment.