Following a thorough selection process Mayo General Hospital has been selected as a centre of excellence for colonoscopy screening.
Fianna Fáil frontbench spokesperson on Enterprise Employment and Innovation Dara Calleary has described it as a huge a vote of confidence in Mayo.
The planned programme will be available to men and women aged 60 to 69 in 2012. In Ireland, colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common fatal cancer among both men and women. It claims more than 900 lives every year.
“By screening for colorectal cancer, doctors can detect pre-cancerous cells and prevent the disease from setting in. This programme will be a vital tool in cancer prevention,” said Minister Calleary.
In order to participate in the programme Mayo General will have to meet quality standards as set out by the National Cancer Screening Service.
