Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

338. To ask the Minister for Health the reason BreastCheck and BowelScreen finish at the age of 69 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8437/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The implementation of the age extension of BreastCheck to 65-69 year olds commenced in Quarter 4 of 2015. Previously, this service was available to women aged 50-64 years. This is in keeping with EU Guidelines that recommend mammography screening for breast cancer in women aged 50 to 69.

BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, commenced offering free bowel screening nationwide to men and women aged 60 to 69 years in late 2012. The programme is focusing on this age group in the initial phase because, from a population perspective, this cohort will benefit most from bowel screening. This year BowelScreen is moving from the current 3 year round to screening every 2 years, in line with international best practice.