Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the NSAC work to consider the further expansion of the cancer screening programmes; when the BreastCheck and BowelScreen programmes will be extended to the over 70s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50653/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to supporting our population screening programmes, which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

The Programme for Government commits to extending the BowelScreen cancer screening programme and also to extending the ages for the BreastCheck screening programme, in line with updated standards from HIQA.

Since April 2025, BowelScreen, the national bowel screening programme, invites men and women aged between 59-70 to take the free at-home screening test. Funding of €1.9 million was allocated in Budget 2025 for the expansion of BowelScreen to individuals aged 58 to 70. Those aged 58 will start to receive invitations from October this year.

This is an important part of a phased approach to expanding the screening age, in line with available capacity and resources. When full expansion is complete, people aged 55-74 will be invited for screening.

BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, currently invites women aged 50 to 69 years at regular intervals to have a screening mammogram. In Budget 2025, an additional €2.9 million was allocated to the BreastCheck programme to support the recruitment of 22 Whole Time Equivalent posts. This will assist in expanding and future-proofing the programme to meet increased demand.

I would highlight that any proposed changes to Ireland’s cancer screening programmes will be facilitated through established protocols. The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the independent expert group that considers proposed changes to Ireland’s screening programmes. NSAC assesses the evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria, before making recommendations to myself as Minister for Health. The rigorous processes utilised by NSAC are critical to ensure that our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

In this regard, I am pleased to report that NSAC is progressing work to consider the further expansion of our cancer screening programmes and has submitted a request to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), to consider the evidence for a further expansion of the eligibility for the BreastCheck and BowelScreen programmes.

HIQA is currently focused on concluding the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) to examine a proposed expansion of the age range eligibility for the BowelScreen programme to those aged 50-54 years. Work on this is at an advanced stage, with a report expected to be submitted to NSAC for consideration later this year.

HIQA have also commenced the evidence review to consider changes to the BreastCheck programme. This review will comprise of two elements; a proposed expansion of the age range eligibility to those aged 45-49 and 70-74, and the potential introduction of a standardised breast density measurement. Both elements are anticipated to be complex and will take time to ensure that any recommendations made to me by NSAC are underpinned by a robust evidence-base.

HTAs facilitate the assessment of relevant evidence and knowledge on the effects and consequences of healthcare technologies to guide decisions regarding the appropriate use of technology and efficient allocation of resources. They involve a multi-disciplinary assessment of the clinical, economic, ethical, legal and societal perspectives that may be impacted by the introduction of a new technology. They are time-intensive and rigorous processes.

Finally, I would like to emphasise that population-based screening programmes are for people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact a medical professional.