Govt cancer care under fire
The Labour Party hit out at the Government’s cancer care strategy today, claiming patients should not have to rely on charity hand-outs.
The Irish Cancer Society has offered €1m to fund bowel cancer screening for everyone aged 55-74 with the potential to save hundreds of lives every year.
But Jan O’Sullivan, Labour’s health spokeswoman, said the charity is being forced to step in because current preventative measures are not good enough.
“Our preventative strategies are completely inadequate,” the Cork TD said.
“It seems that (Health) Minister (Mary) Harney has lost her way when it comes to putting preventative measures in place.
“At the same time she has no problem with excessively high salaries at the top of the medical profession, and at the top of the HSE.”
The latest data from the National Cancer Registry showed 2,174 new cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed in 2007. It is forecast to jump to around 3,300 new cases by 2020.
More than 900 people die from bowel cancer in Ireland every year – the worst mortality rate in western Europe and the fourth highest among men worldwide.
The society’s chairman Bill McCabe said they had been left with no choice but to offer the cash.
“We would rather not have to make this offer, but on this occasion we believe that we have no choice,” Mr McCabe said.
“We believe that unless there is a clear driving force, it is easier for the Government, especially in the current climate not to do anything.”
The €1m is being offered over two years and the society’s chief executive John McCormack said a screening programme could save 330 lives a year.
“This is why we are prepared to forge new ground and take a lead role in ensuring the roll-out of a national bowel cancer screening programme,” Mr McCormack said.
The society said the early detection would also prevent a further 320 people developing bowel cancer.
“All evidence points to the urgent need for such a screening programme which will save 330 lives per year because the cancer will be detected at such a stage that it can be treated effectively,” he said.
“Basically we need to screen for this common cancer, detect it early, treat it well and give people the best chance of a long and healthy life.”
