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Cancer screening in Ireland

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BowelScreen, BreastCheck and CervicalCheck are cancer screening programmes organised by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland.

BowelScreen

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2018)

BowelScreen is the national bowel cancer screening programme. It was launched in November 2012 by Minister for Health James Reilly, with the eventual aim of offering bi-annual scans to people ages 55 to 74. It is offered every two years to residents of Ireland age 59 to 69. The screening consists of an at-home stool test and, if a certain level of blood is found, a referral for a colonoscopy.

BreastCheck

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2018)

BreastCheck is the national breast cancer screening programme. It was initially founded under Micheál Martin's tenure as Minister for Health and Children in October 2000 as a pilot in a limited number of health boards. Over 70% of the women invited to take part in the screening in the first year, accepted.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings were temporarily suspended and the number of breast cancer-related procedures and diagnoses were greatly reduced. This has led to concerns over the lasting effects of the pandemic, including healthcare capacity issues and delayed diagnoses.

As of 2024, free breast cancer screening is offered every two years to all women aged 50 to 67. Due to the pandemic, invitations for breast screening may be sent every three years instead of every two years.

CervicalCheck

CervicalCheck is the national cervical screening programme. It was launched in September 2008 as the public name of the National Cancer Screening Service. In May 2008, then chief executive officer Tony O'Brien dismissed claims that misdiagnoses would result from the use of US-based lab Quest Diagnostics.

2018

Main article: CervicalCheck cancer scandal

In 2014, a woman presented with a confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer after a CervicalCheck test showed no abnormalities. On 26 April 2018, the HSE confirmed that 206 women developed cervical cancer after having a screening test which was subsequently deemed to be potentially inaccurate, given the known limitations of screening using smear technology. In May, HSE director-general Tony O'Brien took temporary leave of absence from the board of a US medical company amid renewed calls for him to stand aside from his position due to the ongoing controversy. Tony O'Brien announced his resignation as director-general of the HSE with effect from close of business on 11 May.

References

  1. ^ O'Regan, Eilish (2 May 2018). "Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  2. ^ McQuinn, Cormac (10 May 2018). "State Claims Agency dealing with four alleged misdiagnosis cases involving BreastCheck, TDs told". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  3. Power, Jack (1 May 2018). "The doctor told me the smear results I got in 2013 were wrong". Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  4. Cullen, Paul (29 January 2013). "Colorectal Screening for Cancer Introduced". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  5. "Bowel screening - BowelScreen". HSE. 10 October 2022.
  6. "HSE urges those aged 59-69 to take free bowel cancer test". RTE News. 2 April 2024.
  7. ^ Healy, Alison (17 October 2004). "Screening for cancer taken up by 73% of women". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018.
  8. Kelleher, Lynne (30 March 1999). "Ten-Minute Test That Could Save Your Life; Mobile Screening Units Join Battle to Beat Breast Cancer". Irish Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018.
  9. Clarkson, Paul (19 April 2001). "Disease Kills 700 Irish Women Each Year". Irish Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018.
  10. Clarke, Vivienne (25 June 2020). "Up to 70% reduction in number of breast cancer checks during Covid-19, says professor". The Irish Times.
  11. "Concerns over pandemic disruption to cancer services". RTE News. 20 October 2021.
  12. Bowers, Fergal (12 August 2019). "BreastCheck cancer reviews 'outside' of standard audits". RTE News.
  13. "Breast screening information". HSE. 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Smear test scandal: 206 women develop cancer after all-clear". Irish Independent. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Smear fears". the Irish Times. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  16. "HSE chief Tony O'Brien to take leave of absence from US board". Irish Times. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  17. "HSE boss Tony O'Brien steps down in wake of CervicalCheck scandal". Irish Independent. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.


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