Cancer screening in Ireland

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 providing bi-annual screening to men and women aged 55–74.[4]

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.[5][6][7] Over 70% of the women invited to take part in the screening in the first year, accepted.[5]

CervicalCheck

CervicalCheck is the national cervical screening programme.[8] It was launched in September 2008 as the public name of the National Cancer Screening Service.[9] 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.[9]

2018

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 on lookback, once a woman presented with a confirmed diagnosis of Cervical Cancer and given the known limitations of screening using smear technology.[8] 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.[10] Tony O'Brien announced his resignation as director-general of the HSE with effect from close of business on 11 May.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 O'Regan, Eilish (2 May 2018). "Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  2. 1 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 – via Highbeam research.(subscription required)
  5. 1 2 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 – via Highbeam research.(subscription required)
  6. ↑ 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 – via Highbeam research.(subscription required)
  7. ↑ Clarkson, Paul (19 April 2001). "Disease Kills 700 Irish Women Each Year". Irish Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018 – via Highbeam research.(subscription required)
  8. 1 2 "Smear test scandal: 206 women develop cancer after all-clear". Irish Independent. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Smear fears". the Irish Times. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "HSE chief Tony O'Brien to take leave of absence from US board". Irish Times. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  11. ↑ "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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