Cancer screening in Ireland explained

BowelScreen,[1] BreastCheck[2] and CervicalCheck[3] are cancer screening programmes organised by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland.

BowelScreen

BowelScreen is the national bowel cancer screening programme.[1] 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.[4] It is offered every two years to residents of Ireland age 59 to 69.[5] The screening consists of an at-home stool test and, if a certain level of blood is found, a referral for a colonoscopy.[6]

BreastCheck

BreastCheck is the national breast cancer screening programme.[2] 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.[7] [8] [9] Over 70% of the women invited to take part in the screening in the first year, accepted.[7]

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.[10] This has led to concerns over the lasting effects of the pandemic, including healthcare capacity issues and delayed diagnoses.[11]

, free breast cancer screening is offered every two years to all women aged 50 to 67.[12] Due to the pandemic, invitations for breast screening may be sent every three years instead of every two years.[13]

CervicalCheck

CervicalCheck is the national cervical screening programme. It was launched in September 2008 as the public name of the National Cancer Screening Service.[14] 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.[14]

2018

See 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.[15] 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.[16] Tony O'Brien announced his resignation as director-general of the HSE with effect from close of business on 11 May.[17]

Notes and References

  1. News: Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening . Eilish . O'Regan . 2 May 2018 . 12 May 2018 . Irish Independent.
  2. News: Cormac . McQuinn . State Claims Agency dealing with four alleged misdiagnosis cases involving BreastCheck, TDs told . 10 May 2018 . 12 May 2018 . Irish Independent.
  3. News: The doctor told me the smear results I got in 2013 were wrong . 1 May 2018 . Jack . Power . 12 May 2018.
  4. News: Colorectal Screening for Cancer Introduced . https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112926/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34177903.html . dead . 12 May 2018 . . Paul . Cullen . 29 January 2013 . 12 May 2018 .
  5. Web site: Bowel screening - BowelScreen. 10 October 2022. HSE.
  6. Web site: HSE urges those aged 59-69 to take free bowel cancer test. 2 April 2024. RTE News.
  7. News: Screening for cancer taken up by 73% of women . https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112929/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24643096.html . dead . 12 May 2018 . . 17 October 2004 . Alison . Healy .
  8. News: Ten-Minute Test That Could Save Your Life; Mobile Screening Units Join Battle to Beat Breast Cancer . https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112736/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60399375.html . dead . 12 May 2018 . . 30 March 1999 . Lynne . Kelleher.
  9. News: Disease Kills 700 Irish Women Each Year . https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112952/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73385642.html . dead . 12 May 2018 . . 19 April 2001 . Paul . Clarkson.
  10. News: Up to 70% reduction in number of breast cancer checks during Covid-19, says professor. Vivienne. Clarke . The Irish Times. 25 June 2020.
  11. Web site: Concerns over pandemic disruption to cancer services. 20 October 2021. RTE News.
  12. Web site: BreastCheck cancer reviews 'outside' of standard audits. RTE News. 12 August 2019. Bowers. Fergal.
  13. Web site: Breast screening information. 3 November 2022. HSE. https://web.archive.org/web/20240501072943/https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/breast-screening/information/. 1 May 2024. live.
  14. News: 12 May 2018 . Smear fears . 20 May 2008 . the Irish Times.
  15. News: Smear test scandal: 206 women develop cancer after all-clear . Irish Independent . 27 April 2018. 12 May 2018.
  16. News: HSE chief Tony O'Brien to take leave of absence from US board . . 3 May 2015 . 12 May 2018.
  17. Web site: HSE boss Tony O'Brien steps down in wake of CervicalCheck scandal . Irish Independent . 10 May 2018 . 12 May 2018.