Women go for breast op rather than radiation

WOMEN with breast cancer are opting to have a mastectomy rather than face a six-hour journey for 10 minutes of radiation treatment.

The only other alternative for women living in Donegal is to live away from their family for six weeks but for some that prospect is worse than radical surgery.

Letterkenny-based surgeon Kevin Moran said women would never have to make such a drastic decision if they lived in Dublin or if there was a proper after-care service.

“It is unnecessary in this day and age to opt for a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy but it is happening here,” he said.

Newly established campaign group, Donegal Action for Cancer Care, has sought a meeting with Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney.

The Government firmly believes, however, that the investment of €300 million in four radiation treatment centres - one each for Galway and Cork and two in Dublin, is the way to go.

The Irish Cancer Society supports the development of four centres but believes urgency should be given to addressing the deficit in radiotherapy services.

Irish Cancer Society chief executive John McCormack said the priority for any women diagnosed with breast cancer should be able to go to a centre that specialises in treating the disease.

“And that centre may not be down the road,” he said.

Meanwhile, around 20,000 signatures were collected in Co Kerry last weekend to demand the roll-out of BreastCheck to the south and west of the country.

The free breast cancer screening service for women aged 50 to 64 has been available to women in Dublin and the east since 2000 but plans to expand it to the south and west are not expected to be realised until 2007.