I thank Deputy Callaghan for raising this issue. She is right to say there is not a family or community not impacted by cancer. We all have to do more and challenge ourselves and our system, and support our health service, researchers and scientists in terms of what more we can do to prevent cancer and to earlier identify cancer. I think of our colleague, Deputy Peter Roche, who lost his brother Vincent in the early hours of this morning, and I extend my sympathies to him. I met the Irish Cancer Society last week and we discussed a range of issues, including this in the context of developing the next national cancer strategy. I thank Deputy Callaghan because raising this is timely as we prepare to develop the next national cancer strategy. Deputy Callaghan has been a vocal advocate for cancer care, cancer prevention and cancer treatment. We are absolutely committed to improving cancer care. As I have said, we must also continue to see what more we can do in terms of being innovative in better early identification and better prevention. The current national cancer strategy identifies the need for genomic testing and hereditary cancer care management. The national cancer control programme hereditary cancer model of care highlights the need to further improve access to genetic testing for patients with cancer and their relatives. We are committed to ensuring this happens. Where a cancer patient is suspected of having an underlying cancer predisposition syndrome, they are typically offered multigene panels to look for changes in relevant genes, if identified, and there is testing for close family members also. It is important to note the HSE does this in line with best international practice rather than through broader population screening programmes. A genomic test directory for cancer is constantly being developed in the health service as well, and the national cancer control programme is now funding a number of tests in adult cancer, including colorectal, melanoma, lung, ovarian and other cancers. Tests have been developed, I am pleased to say, at CHI Crumlin for all known significant mutations in paediatric and young adult solid cancers. On foot of Deputy Callaghan raising this today, I will specifically speak with the Minister for Health and ask that she further engages with Deputy Callaghan and anyone she has been working with in Carlow and Kilkenny on this. There is an opportunity to try to progress this in the next national cancer strategy. The hereditary cancer steering group oversees the implementation of the hereditary cancer model of care. They are now working to mainstream genetic testing as part of the hereditary cancer model of care. They hope to have this in place in a number of cancer centres in our health service by the third quarter of this year. This will make pre-test counselling and genetic testing available through the treating oncology team for certain patients with a diagnosis of cancer, including breast cancer, which will be a significant step forward. We have also provided funding for posts to include two genetic counsellors, three service support staff, four advanced nurse practitioner posts and two consultant medical oncologists with a special interest in genetics. This is the immediate move that will take place this year as we begin to develop the next national cancer strategy and the next steps forward. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and asked that she engage further with Deputy Callaghan.

Sentiment score: -0.15

I thank Deputy Callaghan and I send my thoughts and best wishes to her close friend in Thomastown. Deputy Callaghan's experience and story is one we in the House all share. It is something that touches and impacts all of us in our lives, our work, our communities and everybody in this country. We have made good progress as a country. Our doctors, medics, scientists, nurses and healthcare system have made good progress in our cancer survival rates but, as I say this, there can be no room for any sense of complacency. We have to continue to see how we can do more and do better in terms of prevention and early detection. Deputy Callaghan is quite right to be bringing forward ideas as to how we use the best innovations and best science, and what is recommended by international evidence, to do better in our health service. I know the Government, Deputy Callaghan, and the Minister, Deputy Caroll MacNeill, are fully committed to this. I take heart from the fact the hereditary cancer model of care will be rolled out by quarter 3 of this year in a number of cancer centres. This is a big step forward in terms of offering genetic testing and pre-counselling to those at most familial risk. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, and ask that she engages with Deputy Callaghan and we will keep in touch on this.

Sentiment score: 0.22