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Cancer screening in Ireland

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

BowelScreen

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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

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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]

As of 2024, 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

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CervicalCheck is the national cervical screening programme.[14] It was launched in September 2008 as the public name of the National Cancer Screening Service.[15] 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.[15]

2018

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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.[14] 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]

References

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  1. ^ a b O'Regan, Eilish (2 May 2018). "Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Smear test scandal: 206 women develop cancer after all-clear". Irish Independent. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  15. ^ a b "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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