Breast cancer screening delay ‘will kill 100 women’ in the west

BREAST cancer will kill at least 100 more women in the west of Ireland before screening services are available there, it was claimed yesterday by Fianna Fáil Senator Margaret Cox.

Experts agree early detection is the best chance of survival, yet 600 women die because of the disease every year. Health Minister Mary Harney promised the BreastCheck screening programme will be operating in the west in 2007.

Ms Cox, however, doubts that, citing former Health Minister Micheál Martin’s pledge to have BreastCheck screening in the west by 2005.

“I am fearful that without constant pressure, the promise will also be broken by a Government that seems intent on treating the people of the west as second-class citizens,” said Ms Cox yesterday.

The Galway-based senator has sent a petition to more than 600 local organisations asking the people of Galway to support her. “In our region, cancer is responsible for more than half the deaths of women between 30 and 60,” she said.

“More women in the West get breast cancer than in other parts of the country. It is essential that breast screening begins in 2007.”

A former member of the Western Health Board, Ms Cox says there are 57,588 women in the target population.

“This is expected to result in the diagnosis of 141 cancers per year in first screenings and 71 per year in subsequent screenings.

“That’s 141 grandmothers, mothers, daughters and sisters who are being left every year to discover by themselves that they have breast cancer.”

To date the programme is available in 14 of the 26 counties, mostly in the midlands and east. Screenings first began in February 2000. Ms Cox is urging people in the west to ensure breast cancer screening is delivered with no more delays: “Make your voice heard, sign the petition and let the Government know the health of the west is just as important as that of the people in the east.”

A Department of Health and Children spokesperson reiterated Ms Harney’s commitment, adding the Tánaiste “is confident the target date of 2007 will be met.”

Breast cancer: the facts

600: Breast cancer deaths each year.

50%: Deaths among women aged 30-60 caused by cancer.

2007: Target screening date in the West.

€20m: Government funding to expand programme.