DONEGAL'S two cancer
campaign groups have welcomed the green-light for
the recruitment of staff to BreastCheck in the
county. Both Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC)
and Co-operating for Cancer Care NorthWest CCC(NW)
received formal confirmation on Friday that the
National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) can now
proceed with appointing personnel for the service.
DACC chairperson Betty Holmes however said while the
NCSS had urged caution regarding the exact start
date, the service was still on target for 2009.
CCC(NW) chairperson Noelle Duddy, meanwhile, said
Friday's confirmation via an email from the office
of NCSS ceo Tony O'Brien, was "one of the best
emails we have received".
"Finally, all the pieces of the jigsaw are in place
and women in Donegal will be in receipt of
BreastCheck this year. It has been a long and
torturous road and we dearly hope that all the main
players responsible for the provision of this
service have learnt serious lessons along the way so
that never again will it take nine years to
roll-out/deliver a service, screening or otherwise
to the nation," said Ms Duddy. "CCC(NW) remind women
that if they have any concern regarding their breast
health they should contact their doctor immediately
and not wait for BreastCheck. Also, after such a
public campaign to get BreastCheck to Donegal, we
encourage all women eligible, to attend BreastCheck
when they receive their appointment. Hopefully,
Donegal will have one of the biggest uptakes of this
potentially life-saving service. CCC(NW) will
continue to monitor the situation," she added.
The NCCS confirmation sent to DACC and CCC(NW)
stated:
"Following an extensive recruitment campaign,
BreastCheck has identified the additional
radiography staff required in order to commence the
service in Counties Clare, Donegal and Leitrim. On
receipt of derogation, BreastCheck can confirm that
screening is now scheduled to commence in all three
counties later in 2009. Eligible women (aged 50-64)
are to be screened from mobile digital screening
units located locally and managed by the BreastCheck
Western Unit."
It added: "While BreastCheck can confirm that
screening will be introduced to Counties Clare,
Donegal and Leitrim later this year, the service
will not speculate on expected dates for screening
to commence as it is imperative that any woman with
a concern regarding breast cancer immediately
contacts her GP and does not await the arrival of
BreastCheck. Specific screening dates will be
announced once fully confirmed and never more than
three months in advance." |
