The head of the National Cancer Control Programme should be included on the HSE Leadership Team to ensure cancer treatment receives the focus required, Senator Seán Kyne has said.
Senator Kyne, speaking on a joint Fine Gael motion to Seanad Éireann during Private Members’ Business regarding the National Cancer Services, also called for a new cancer centre for the west of Ireland, within the grounds of University Hospital Galway, pointing out that there are lower survival rates in the west of Ireland compared to the national average.
Acknowledging the success of the National Cancer Strategies since their inception, Sen Kyne said that screening programmes such as BreastCheck and BowelScreen, along with the HPV immunisation programme, means that more people are surviving cancer in Ireland than ever.
“However, Ireland still has the third highest mortality rate from cancer in Western Europe,” he said. “This is a shocking statistic, and we need to do everything we can to address this.
“It is vital that we expand the age ranges for cancer screening programmes. Currently the BreastCheck programme allows women between 50 and 69 years old to a free of charge breast screening every two years, this must be expanded so that those aged between 45 to 74 are also included.
Sen Kyne has also called for a lowering of the age range for BowelScreen; and the introduction of screening programmes for prostate, lung, and gastric cancer.
“These schemes would be crucial in detecting cancer at an early stage,” he said. “In tandem with this, there must be proper resourcing and staffing of diagnostic services so that Sláintecare targets for testing times are met.
“Additional funding must be provided in Budget 2025 for the network of Community Cancer Support Centres nationwide, along with continued investment in single occupancy rooms within hospitals, to reduce the risk of infections. “
