Breast cancer deaths ‘higher in Republic’

MORE women have died from breast cancer in the Republic than Northern Ireland because of the lack of national screening problem.

An all-Ireland survey found death rates from breast cancer did not change in the Republic between 1994 and 2000. The opposite was the case in the North, where death rates fell by one fifth in the same period, and where nationally sponsored screening programmes are in place since 1993.

The report - ‘All Ireland Cancer Statistics Second Report 1998-2000’ - recommends the Republic increase its breast cancer screening services, currently limited to the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Midland Health Board and North Eastern Health Board areas and Wexford.