Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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424. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce free cancer screening programmes for men; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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International evidence recommends population based screening programmes for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.

The HSE provides cancer screening programmes for these three cancers. BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, commenced offering free bowel screening nationwide to men and women aged 60 to 69 years in late 2012. In 2014 BowelScreen issued 266,000 invitations. The preliminary participation rate for 2014 is between 42-45% up from 42% in 2013. It is hoped to achieve the 50% uptake target by the end of the initial screening round in 2015.

There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the introduction of a prostate screening programme. However, the Department of Health and the National Screening Service are keeping emerging international evidence under review.

Any man who may have concerns about prostate cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to a rapid access clinic for prostate cancer in a designated cancer centre.