A blunt warning from the National Screening Service (NSS) to the health minister about the significant risks that would arise from offering free out-of-cycle smear tests had “nothing new in it” and was not passed on to him at the time, Simon Harris has told the health committee.

A leading GP group is seeking an immediate meeting with HSE officials over the deepening cervical cancer tests crisis, due to widespread concern among its members over the number of tests being sent back because they have expired.

The State’s health services watchdog has found shortcomings in BreastCheck’s governance structures that could affect the quality of the national screening service.

The highest recorded number of women have been screened for breast cancer in Ireland.

Bowel cancer rates for men are double that of women yet fewer men than women are using the free detection service, it has emerged.