Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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486. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the introduction of BreastCheck for women aged 65 to 69; when the first cohort of women aged 65 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 66 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 67 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 68 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 69 will be called; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4940/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Planning for the age extension of BreastCheck to 65 - 69 year olds is underway and screening of the extended cohort will commence in Quarter 4 of 2015. The additional eligible population is approximately 100,000 and, when fully implemented, 540,000 women will be included in the BreastCheck Programme.

To accommodate such a substantial increase safely and effectively, it will be necessary for BreastCheck to implement the extended screening on a phased basis. All women involved in breast screening are offered screening every two years and this complicates the organisation of an age extension. The broad approach will involve those who are under the current programme having their period of screening extended until they reach 69 years of age. Accordingly, those aged 65 will be the first to be invited.

Exact details of when women of each age will be invited will be worked out as part of the on-going planning process.

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 cancer centres.