Mayo concerns collapse in cancer screening will lead to increased deaths

The numbers of women being screened for breast and Cervical cancers have dropped dramatically, with the government consistently missing its own targets.

Mayo Aontú Councillor Deirdre Lawless stated: “The national figures that are coming out again and again about our health care services are more and more shocking.

"Any collapse in screening affects woman in Limerick and no doubt is frightening for them as it is for me.

"The collapse in cancer screening will undoubtedly lead to increased incidents of cancer, advanced cancers and deaths.

"Cancer screening is a lifesaving service. We know that anything that is caught early has far better outcomes. Cuts in this service will have tragic consequences

“Incredibly the number of women being screened under Breast Check has fallen. In 2019, up to 170,957 women were screened. Last year that number had fallen to 137,134.

"Exactly 20% fewer women were screened for cancer last year than just before the Covid Crisis. Indeed, the figures for last year are 5% lower than ten years ago despite the population increase.

"The government is not even meeting its own targets.The number of women screened for breast cancer was 30% fewer than the government’s own target last year. This is a major failure even by the government’s own standards.

"The number of Cervical Check screens also collapsed last year. In 2017 260,000 women received cervical cancer screening. Last year the figure was 194,884. That’s a fall of 64,215 women screened.

"Incredibly it’s a 24% collapse in the numbers of women receiving cervical check screening.

"Cervical cancer is one of the insidious ‘silent cancers’ so any reduction in screen is absolutely dire. Again, the government is reducing its own targets. This points to serious delivery problems.

"Fewer screenings mean fewer cancers caught early, which mean more advanced cancers and tragically a higher chance of death.

"Given the scandal that has surrounded cervical check previously it is shocking that the government would allow this life saving system to go through such a reduction in numbers.

"Bowel screening has fallen too, but not by the massive numbers of breast and cervical screening in recent years.

"That said, any fall is really serious.

"During the Covid pandemic, the government significantly reduced breast and cervical cancer screening services.

"Aontú voiced concerns regarding this decision at the time, emphasizing that cancer remains the leading cause of death in Ireland, accounting for approximately 10,000 fatalities annually.

"Throughout the pandemic, the party advocated for the continuation of all essential cancer healthcare services.

"My own party leader, Deputy Peadar Toibín, personally experienced skin cancer during this period, and has consistently highlighted the potential risks posed by reduced access to timely care.

"Many government decisions during Covid led to significant pain and hardship. We believe this is why an independent public investigation has not occurred, with only a ‘review’ instead.

"Aontú is committed to securing a full public inquiry into Covid to prevent similar harmful decisions in the future.

"A resource and staffing crisis is impacting screening programmes. I urge the government to properly staff and invest in cancer screening as a matter of urgency to save lives as the old adage rings true; treatment delayed is treatment denied."