DONEGAL Sinn Féin has
said the HSE's withdrawal of funding to Action
Cancer is premature given that there is no definite
start date for the arrival of BreastCheck in the
North West.
The National Cancer Screening Service has confirmed
that BreastCheck will be set up in the North West in
the first quarter of 2009.
But Sinn Fein said there are 89 days in the first
quarter of the year, and the NCSS had not stated
whether BreastCheck would be operational on the
first day or the 89th.
“Maybe the HSE is assured that the checks will be
here sooner rather than later so felt justified in
making this decision but there needs to be
clarification on this issue," said Cllr Cora Harvey.
Meanwhile, Co-Operating for Cancer Care NorthWest
CCC(NW) thanked Action Cancer and HSE West for the
role they played together in helping women access a
mammogram service in the absence of BreastCheck. The
group said it was a good example of services on both
sides of the border co-operating together. “We in
Donegal are indebted to Action Cancer. This cancer
organisation opens its doors to all women and it is
responsible for saving the lives of many Donegal
women," said CCC(NW) spokesperson Noelle Duddy.
The HSE West/Action Cancer collaboration came about
last year due to lobbying by CCC(NW) who stressed
the importance of reducing the waiting list of more
than 300 women in Donegal awaiting an appointment
with the Breast Clinic at Letterkenny General
Hospital. Between June and September 2007 these
women were referred to Action Cancer for a mammogram
appointment.
It is understood Action Cancer will continue to
provide a mammogram service to individual
asymptomatic Donegal women for a donation of €100.
In anticipation of the arrival of BreastCheck in the
North West, the HSE has issued a statement urging
Donegal women who availed of a mammogram with Action
Cancer or elsewhere not to have a repeat mammogram
with BreastCheck within a 12-month period due to
excessive radiation exposure. |
