Drumm raises concern over value of screening in book

THE embattled chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Prof Brendan Drumm, is likely to spark further anger in the ongoing breast cancer controversy after raising questions over the benefits of screening programmes for the disease.

In a new book to be published later today, Prof Drumm expresses concern about the value of breast screening for some women in the context of warning about the dangers of “over-investigation” and “over-treatment” by medical staff.

It comes after Prof Drumm yesterday met TDs and senators at Leinster House to explain the HSE’s response to the failure by the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise to diagnose at least eight women with breast cancer.