About the National Cancer Screening Service
The National Cancer Screening Service was established by the Minister for Health and Children in January 2007. The establishment followed the launch of a Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland 2006 (.pdf file 1,500 Kb), which advocates a comprehensive cancer control policy programme in Ireland. The Strategy examines prevention, screening, detection, treatment and management of cancer in Ireland in coming years.
National Cancer Screening Service Board will:
- Carry out or arrange to carry out a national breast screening service for the early diagnosis and primary treatment of breast cancer in women;
- Carry out or arrange to carry out a national cervical cancer screening service for the early diagnosis and primary treatment of cervical cancer in women and;
- Advise on the benefits of carrying out other cancer screening programmes where a population health benefit can be demonstrated;
- Advise the Minister, from time to time, on health technologies, including vaccines, relating to the prevention of cervical cancer; and
- Implement special measures to promote participation in its Programmes by disadvantaged people.
The National Cancer Screening Service will maximise expertise across programmes and improve efficiency by developing a single governance model for cancer screening.
The National Cancer Screening Service currently encompasses BreastCheck - The National Breast Screening Programme, CervicalCheck - The National Cervical Screening Programme.
The National Cancer Screening Service has also established an Expert Group to explore and make recommendations on the introduction of a Colorectal Screening Programme.