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Donegal women are at
greater risk of dying of breast cancer due to the
lack of an early detection screening programme in
the county.
That's according to Labour candidate, Siobhan
McLaughlin, who has called for the immediate
provision of the mobile screening programme,
BreastCheck, to Donegal.
She made her comments following confirmation that a
new digital mammography mobile unit is being made
available in Co. Roscommon prior to the development
of a permanent unit in Galway.
"While I welcome this news for Roscommon, I now see
no reason why such a mobile unit cannot be made
available in the Donegal area," she said.
"The failure of the Government to live up to its own
commitment to deliver the BreastCheck roll-out to
women in Donegal means their risk of contracting
breast cancer is significantly higher than those in
other parts of the country."
The BreastCheck roll-out has been dogged by a series
of delays since its inception. "The Minister
promised in 2005 that roll-out would be completed by
2007. Now the Minister informs us that roll-out will
only commence in 2007, and will not be completed
until 2009," added Ms. McLaughlin.
"All along we were being told that BreastCheck would
not be available until the static units were built
and the mobile units ready. The recent revelation
that BreastCheck will be providing screening for
women in Roscommon prior to the development of the
static unit proves that women in Donegal continue to
suffer needlessly.
"I am calling on the director of BreastCheck, Mr.
Tony O'Brien and the Minister for Health Mary Harney
and local government representatives to make this
essential service available to women in Donegal
immediately."
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