Drop in cancer screenings will lead to more deaths, Tóibín warns

Figures provided to Aontú through Parliamentary Question have shown a serious fall in the number of women being screened for Breast and Cervical cancers.

Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has stated that “ the collapse in cancer screening will lead to increased incidents of cancer, advanced cancers and deaths. Cancer screening is a life saving service. Cuts in this service will have tragic consequences”.

“Incredibly the number of women being screened under Breast Check has fallen. In 2019, 170,957 women were screened. Last year that number had fallen to 137,134.  20% fewer women were screened for cancer last year than just before Covid; indeed the figures for last year are 5% lower than ten years ago despite the population increase.”

Tóibín noted, “the government is not even meeting their 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, marking a fall of 64,215 women screened.

“Again, the government are reducing their own targets. This points to serious delivery problems,” the Aontú leadeer said.

“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.”

Tóibín said, “its clear that the government largely shut down breast and cervical cancer screening during Covid. We in Aontú protested against this at the time. Cancer is Ireland’s biggest killer causing 10,000 deaths a year. During Covid we demand we demanded that all lifesaving cancer healthcare would continue. I had skin cancer at the time and I could see the dangers facing people.”

He said, “many of these government decisions during Covid caused great pain and suffering at the time and since. We believe this is why the government has prevented a independent public investigation into Covid, and have only seen fit to have a ‘review’. We in Aontú commit to ensuring that there will be a full Covid public inquiry in the future so that can make sure that the damaging decisions that were taken will not happen in the future.”

“There is clearly a resource and staffing crisis also affecting the screening programmes. We urge the government to properly staff and invest in the cancer screening programmes now so that lives can be saved”.