Private clinic aims to fill gap in breast screening services

Seán McCárthaigh and Evelyn Ring

A spokesperson for the national breast screening programme said they were currently considering the letter from consultant orthopaedic surgeon, James Sheehan, a developer and director of the Galway Clinic, offering to fill the gap in services.

Mr Sheehan said the hospital now had radiography, radiology, histopathology and surgical staff on site, as well as a dedicated chemotherapy unit and radiotherapy services.

“Women in the west are waiting nine months for a mammography and I am very upset having put myself out on a limb in providing the services they need,” he said.

“According to BreastCheck’s own figures, around 200 women will not have their breast cancer diagnosed until they get their act together,” he pointed out.

The spokesperson for BreastCheck said their screening programme would be available in the west by the end of 2007. It will have a target population of almost 58,000, and in excess of 20,000 women will be screened every year.

The service expects to diagnose around 141 cases of breast cancer a year during the first two years and around 71 cases during the second round of testing.

Meanwhile, Sky News Ireland presenter Gráinne Seoige has been announced as the new patron of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.

She will promote the Galway-based charity in its efforts to raise funds for major research projects as well as raising public awareness of breast cancer.

The NBCRI, which was founded in 1991, is devoted to research of the disease which claims the lives of 650 Irish women on average each year.

Although there are many organisations involved in such work in Ireland, Ms Seoige described the role of the NBCRI as “unique.”

“The achievements of the NBCRI are incredible, given they operate without State funding and are entirely dependent on donations and the constant support and enthusiasm of the many fundraisers who continually manage to come up with fund and novel ideas to raise awareness,” said the broadcaster. She added that she was also a strong supporter of the Institute’s continuous campaigning for the fast-forwarding of a national screening programme to all parts of Ireland, as 1,740 new cases of breast cancer are detected each year.

“I’m very fortunate in that no member of my family has suffered from breast cancer but it’s important to remember that it affects one in 11 women,” she said.

Welcoming Ms Seoige’s acceptance of the invitation, NBCRI director Professor Michael Kerin said research was a vital part of an overall strategy of reducing the incidence of breast cancer through the development of improved and effective screening, treatments and medication.