'''BowelScreen''',<ref name="Bowel Scrutiny">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/breast-and-bowel-tests-now-under-scrutiny-as-public-fear-screening-36864836.html |title=Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening |first=Eilish |last=O'Regan |date=2 May 2018 |accessdate=12 May 2018 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref> '''BreastCheck'''<ref name="BreastCheck claims">{{cite news |first=Cormac |last=McQuinn |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/state-claims-agency-dealing-with-four-alleged-misdiagnosis-cases-involving-breastcheck-tds-told-36894048.html |title=State Claims Agency dealing with four alleged misdiagnosis cases involving BreastCheck, TDs told |date=10 May 2018 |accessdate=12 May 2018 |work=[[Irish Independent]]}}</ref> and '''CervicalCheck'''<ref name=Emma1>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/the-doctor-told-me-the-smear-results-i-got-in-2013-were-wrong-1.3480441 |title=‘The doctor told me the smear results I got in 2013 were wrong’ |date=1 May 2018 |first=Jack |last=Power |accessdate=12 May 2018}}</ref> are [[cancer screening]] programmes organised by the [[Health Service Executive]] (HSE) in the [[Republic of Ireland]].
{{Short description|Overview of cancer screening programs in Ireland}}
==BowelScreen==
'''Cancer screening in Ireland''' involves organized programs aimed at the early detection of cancer in asymptomatic individuals. These programs are crucial for reducing cancer mortality and improving treatment outcomes. Ireland has established national screening programs for several types of cancer, including [[breast cancer]], [[cervical cancer]], and [[colorectal cancer]].
{{Expand section|date=May 2018}}
BowelScreen is the national [[Cancer screening#Bowel cancer|bowel cancer screening]] programme.<ref name="Bowel Scrutiny"/> It was launched in November 2012 by [[Minister for Health (Ireland)|Minister for Health]] [[James Reilly (Irish politician)|James Reilly]], with the eventual aim of providing bi-annual screening to men and women aged 55–74.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34177903.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112926/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34177903.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=12 May 2018 |title=Colorectal Screening for Cancer Introduced |work=[[The Irish Times]] |first=Paul |last=Cullen |date=29 January 2013 |accessdate=12 May 2018 |via=[[Highbeam research]]}}{{subscription needed}}</ref>
==BreastCheck==
==BreastCheck==
{{Expand section|date=May 2018}}
{{Main|Breast cancer screening}}
BreastCheck is the national [[breast cancer screening]] programme.<ref name="BreastCheck claims"/> 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 Board (Ireland)|health boards]].<ref name="percentage">{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24643096.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112929/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24643096.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=12 May 2018 |title=Screening for cancer taken up by 73% of women |work=[[The Irish Times]] |date=17 October 2004 |first=Alison |last=Healy |via=[[Highbeam research]]}}{{subscription needed}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60399375.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112736/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60399375.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=12 May 2018 |title=Ten-Minute Test That Could Save Your Life; Mobile Screening Units Join Battle to Beat Breast Cancer |work=[[Irish Daily Mirror]] |via=[[Highbeam research]] |date=30 March 1999 |first=Lynne |last=Kelleher}}{{subscription needed}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73385642.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112952/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-73385642.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=12 May 2018 |title=Disease Kills 700 Irish Women Each Year |work=[[Irish Daily Mirror]] |date=19 April 2001 |first=Paul |last=Clarkson |via=[[Highbeam research]]}}{{subscription needed}}</ref> Over 70% of the women invited to take part in the screening in the first year, accepted.<ref name="percentage"/>
BreastCheck is the national breast cancer screening program in Ireland. It offers free mammograms to women aged 50 to 69 every two years. The program aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be successful. Women are invited to participate in the screening through a letter sent by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
==CervicalCheck==
==CervicalCheck==
CervicalCheck is the national [[cervical screening]] programme.<ref name="women206"/> It was launched in September 2008 as the public name of the National Cancer Screening Service.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-184399072.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513011442/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-184399072.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=13 May 2018 |title=Cancer Screen Test Flop |date=3 September 2008 |work=[[Irish Daily Mail]] |first=Petrina |last=Vousden |via=[[Highbeam research]]}}{{subscription}}</ref><ref name = "smear fear">{{cite news |accessdate=12 May 2018 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/smear-fears-1.1213980 |title=Smear fears |date=20 May 2008 |work=[[the Irish Times]]}}</ref> In May 2008, then Chief Executive Officer Tony O'Brien dismissed claims that misdiagnoses would result from the use of [[United States of America|US]]-based lab [[Quest Diagnostics]].<ref name = "smear fear"/>
{{Main|Cervical cancer screening}}
CervicalCheck is the national cervical cancer screening program. It provides free [[Pap smear]] tests to women aged 25 to 65. The program is designed to detect precancerous changes in the cervix, allowing for early intervention and prevention of cervical cancer. Women are invited to participate in the screening every three to five years, depending on their age and previous test results.
===2018===
==BowelScreen==
{{main|2018 CervicalCheck cancer controversy}}
{{Main|Colorectal cancer screening}}
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.<ref name="women206">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/smear-test-scandal-206-women-develop-cancer-after-allclear-36850237.html |title=Smear test scandal: 206 women develop cancer after all-clear |work=Irish Independent |date=27 April 2018|accessdate=12 May 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/hse-chief-tony-o-brien-to-take-leave-of-absence-from-us-board-1.3482685 |title=HSE chief Tony O’Brien to take leave of absence from US board |work=[[Irish Times]] |date=3 May 2015 |accessdate=12 May 2018}}</ref> Tony O'Brien announced his resignation as director-general of the HSE with effect from close of business on 11 May.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/hse-boss-tony-obrien-steps-down-in-wake-of-cervicalcheck-scandal-36894958.html |title=HSE boss Tony O’Brien steps down in wake of CervicalCheck scandal |work=Irish Independent |date=10 May 2018 |accessdate=12 May 2018}}</ref>
BowelScreen is the national colorectal cancer screening program. It offers free [[fecal immunochemical test]]s (FIT) to men and women aged 60 to 69 every two years. The FIT test is used to detect hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. Individuals with positive FIT results are referred for a [[colonoscopy]] to further investigate and remove any polyps or cancerous growths.
==References==
==Other Screening Programs==
{{reflist}}
While BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, and BowelScreen are the primary national screening programs, there are also initiatives to promote awareness and early detection of other cancers, such as [[prostate cancer]] and [[skin cancer]]. These efforts include public health campaigns and educational programs to encourage individuals to seek medical advice if they notice any unusual symptoms.
==External links==
==Challenges and Developments==
* https://www.bowelscreen.ie/
Cancer screening programs in Ireland face several challenges, including ensuring high participation rates, maintaining quality standards, and addressing disparities in access to screening services. The HSE continuously works to improve these programs by incorporating new technologies, updating guidelines, and expanding outreach efforts to underserved communities.
* https://www.breastcheck.ie/
* http://www.cervicalcheck.ie/
==Related pages==
* [[Cancer in Ireland]]
* [[Health Service Executive]]
* [[Public health in Ireland]]
[[Category:Healthcare in Ireland]]
[[Category:Cancer screening]]
[[Category:Cancer screening]]
[[Category:Health in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Public health in Ireland]]
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{{Ireland-org-stub}}
{{Pathology-stub}}
{{dictionary-stub1}}
Latest revision as of 19:10, 22 March 2025
Overview of cancer screening programs in Ireland
Cancer screening in Ireland involves organized programs aimed at the early detection of cancer in asymptomatic individuals. These programs are crucial for reducing cancer mortality and improving treatment outcomes. Ireland has established national screening programs for several types of cancer, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.
BreastCheck is the national breast cancer screening program in Ireland. It offers free mammograms to women aged 50 to 69 every two years. The program aims to detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatment is more likely to be successful. Women are invited to participate in the screening through a letter sent by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
CervicalCheck is the national cervical cancer screening program. It provides free Pap smear tests to women aged 25 to 65. The program is designed to detect precancerous changes in the cervix, allowing for early intervention and prevention of cervical cancer. Women are invited to participate in the screening every three to five years, depending on their age and previous test results.
BowelScreen is the national colorectal cancer screening program. It offers free fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) to men and women aged 60 to 69 every two years. The FIT test is used to detect hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. Individuals with positive FIT results are referred for a colonoscopy to further investigate and remove any polyps or cancerous growths.
While BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, and BowelScreen are the primary national screening programs, there are also initiatives to promote awareness and early detection of other cancers, such as prostate cancer and skin cancer. These efforts include public health campaigns and educational programs to encourage individuals to seek medical advice if they notice any unusual symptoms.
Cancer screening programs in Ireland face several challenges, including ensuring high participation rates, maintaining quality standards, and addressing disparities in access to screening services. The HSE continuously works to improve these programs by incorporating new technologies, updating guidelines, and expanding outreach efforts to underserved communities.
