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.