Disappointment at decision not to extend breast cancer screening in 2014

The Irish Cancer Society has expressed concern that resources have not been made available in the HSE Services Plan to extend the BreastCheck screening programme in 2014. This is despite a commitment in the Programme for Government to extend the upper age range to women aged 65 to 69 years of age, which was expected to roll out in 2014. BreastCheck currently invites women aged 50 to 64 years for free screening every two years. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has found that quality screening mammography done every two years in women 50 to 69 years of age should reduce their risk for death from breast cancer by about 35%. Kathleen O’Meara, Head of Advocacy & Communications with the Irish Cancer Society, said,“Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women in Ireland with 2724 cases in 2010. The extension of the BreastCheck programme has been promised for many years and we are disappointed that it now looks like this will not happen in 2014. The Irish Cancer Society will be campaigning to have this decision reversed so that as many women as possible can avail of a world class screening programme”.