Martin says 68,000 screened in BreastCheck project

The national breast screening project BreastCheck today reported it expected to complete the first phase of its free testing programme by the end of this year.

At the publication of the body's annual report for 2000 and 2001, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin said almost 92,000 women in the 50-64 years-of-age group had been called for screening, with over 68,000 tested. This represented an uptake rate of 74 per cent - well in excess of the 70 per cent target.

More than 140,000 women in the east, north east and midlands region were estimated to be eligible for testing.

A recall rate of 4.4 per cent for further testing was reported with 544 women identified with cancer, as of June 2002.

Breastcheck operates two clinical units in the east, the Merrion Unit at St Vincent's Hospital and the Eccles Unit at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. Mr Martin confirmed today that the Merrion Unit would be replaced by a new €6 million state-of-the-art facility. Breastcheck also operates two mobile units within the region.

BreastCheck admitted today that difficulties in recruiting radiographers for the first phase had slowed the roll-out of the service. It added that an international recruitment campaign had led to the appointment of the full compliment of staff.

The Minister did not give a firm date for extending the programme into the south, southeast and west regions but said the additional funding required would be considered under the overall context of investment in cancer services for 2003.

A plan for expanding the screening has been submitted to the Department of Health for approval. It involves basing clinical units at University College Hospital Galway and at the South Infirmary/Victoria Hospital in Cork.

Ms Deirdre O'Connell of the Irish Breast Campaign, Europa Donna Ireland, called on the minister to extend testing nationwide as soon as possible.

Europa Donna Ireland said when national coverage has been achieved the age group should be extended from 64 to 70 years-of-age as recent reports had shown this would improve mortality rates.

More than 1,500 Irish women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.