Cancer claim unfair: Martin

OPPOSITION claims that more money is being spent combating disease among farm animals than tackling breast cancer is "rubbish, unfair and selective", Health Minister Micheal Martin said yesterday.

"We've spent over 400 million on cancer services, on top of what we were spending," he said yesterday in response to criticism by Labour's Health spokesperson, Liz MacManus.

"They (opposition parties) selected out the BreastCheck issue and it is somewhat disingenuous. Comparing it with the animal disease eradication programme, which is important in itself, is just not fair," the minister said as he launched a MRI scanner and breast care facility in Waterford.

Over the last four years, the Government has invested more in cancer services than any government did in the previous 20 years, Mr Martin said.

"All I want is a fair shot, an objective assessment of what's being done. That was a cheap sort of assertion, which will not do the debate any good," he said.

BreastCheck has admitted that, even if the system was rolled out nationally in the morning, it would still take 22 months for it to be in place because of the staffing and logistical arrangements involved.

"BreastCheck would actually cost about €26 million, and not the €10 million which has been quoted, between capital and revenue. We are working on this," said Mr Martin.

The new symptomatic breast care service, such as the one launched in Waterford yesterday, will treat those who show symptoms.

"We need to ensure that as we move the two of them forward, that we don't have facilities which subsequently will not be used."

The minster said he anticipated having an expert review group's report on radiotherapy services on his desk within the next three weeks.

When he receives the report, he said, he will study it in detail and then, and only then, will decisions be made on where services are established.