Developments in cancer prevention and early detection services

The document, A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland (pdf), was published in 2006 and includes prevention as an essential element of policy in this area.

As part of the development of prevention strategies

• BreastCheck and CervicalCheck have been rolled out nationwide
• New Quality Assurance Standards for the development of the existing CervicalCheck programme have been set
• A HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination programme for all girls in first year in secondary school to help to protect them against cervical cancer started in 2010.

• Preparatory work on a National Colorectal Screening Service continues. The programme will start on a national basis in late 2012.

Colorectal screening

Colorectal screening can lead to the early detection of cancer, the improvement of treatment outcomes and the detection of pre-cancerous growths. Work is underway on the establishment of a national colorectal screening programme. The programme will start on a national basis in late 2012 and will initially target people aged between 60 and 69 years.

The programme will be operated by the National Cancer Screening Service in co-operation with the Health Service Executive (HSE). It is intended that the programme will be extended to all those aged 55 to 74 years of age as resources allow.

The NCSS and HSE are working intensively on the pre-implementation phase. This involves:

• Training of Advanced Nurse Practitioners to carry out colonoscopies as part of the programme
• Selecting and developing a number of colonoscopy facilities, probably 10 to12, around the country and refurbishing them where necessary
• Developing a system for the provision of test kits to every individual being screened
• Communicating with the population involved, including those who have not been previously targeted by screening programmes. Middle-aged to older males will be a new target group in this regard.
• Ensuring that the highest quality standards apply to all aspects of the programme.

HPV Vaccination Programme

The national HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccination programme started in 2010 and will complement the CervicalCheck screening service for women aged between 25 and 60 years of age.

The vaccine is now offered free to all girls in first year in secondary school (aged about 13) each year. A catch-up programme for girls in 6th year of secondary school (aged about 18) started in September 2011 and will continue for 6th year girls in 2012 and 2013.

HPV vaccine is a vaccine that prevents infection with certain species of human papilloma virus associated with the development of cervical cancer.

The HSE has more information for parents and girls on hpv.ie.

Rapid Access Clinics

There are now Rapid Access Clinics for prostate cancer detection and treatment and lung cancer detection and treatment in all eight cancer centres:

• St Vincent’s Hospital Dublin
• Beaumont Hospital Dublin
• St. James’ Hospital Dublin
• The Mater Hospital Dublin
• Cork University Hospital
• Waterford Regional Hospital
• Limerick Regional Hospital
• Galway University Hospital.