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
Main article: CervicalCheck cancer scandal

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. O'Regan, Eilish (2 May 2018). "Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  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.
  5. 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.
  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.
  7. Clarkson, Paul (19 April 2001). "Disease Kills 700 Irish Women Each Year". Irish Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018.
  8. "Smear test scandal: 206 women develop cancer after all-clear". Irish Independent. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  9. "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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