Blaney welcomes progress on National Colorectal Screening Service
Local Fianna Fáil TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee Niall Blaney TD has welcomed the announcement that preparatory work is to begin this year on a National Colorectal Screening Service under the Government’s Cancer Control Programme. 15/01/10Free screenings under the Programme will start in 2012, he said.
Welcoming the development, Deputy Blaney said:
“Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in Ireland and I am delighted that serious progress is now being made on delivering a screening service.”
“It is hoped that the free screenings will start in 2012, but the preparatory work for the service will start this year. Among the steps to be taken by the Government to get ready for the screening are:
The training of Advanced Nurse Practitioners to carry out colonoscopies
The selection and development of 10 to 12 colonoscopy facilities around the country
The development of a system for the provision of test kits to every individual being screened
Heightening awareness among the public about the service and its benefits to ensure that take up of the screening is good when introduced
“Free screenings will initially be offered to 400,000 people in the 60 to 69 age group. The programme will be operated by the National Cancer Screening Service in cooperation with the Health Service Executive.”
“The programme will be extended to all those aged between 55 and 74 when the logistics and resources allow.”
“The 60 to 69 age group contain about 50 per cent of all cases of colorectal cancer in the 55 to 74 age band and other countries including England, Sweden and Finland have aimed their programmes at the 60 to 69 age group also.”
“This screening service will follow the cervical cancer screening service which is now operating successfully all over the country. Since it was introduced in September 2008 more than 340,000 women have been screened.”
“Together with the announcement that the cervical cancer vaccination is to be introduced for school girls this year, this announcement represents further significant progress under the Government’s Cancer Control Programme.”
“Cancer has been a dreaded word for so long. There are very few families that have not been touched by it in some form or another. The true benefits of the development of the Cancer Control Programme by this Government will not be known for some time but I am positive that steps we are taking now will save lives in the future, “ concluded Deputy Niall Blaney .
