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More than 300 women
in Donegal are waiting for appointments at the
breast cancer clinic in Letterkenny Hospital
following referrals from their GPs, campaign group
Co-operating Cancer Care North West (CCCNW) has
said.
The group announced the figures following a recent
meeting with senior representatives from both
statutory and voluntary bodies including the HSE,
BreastCheck and the Marie Keating Foundation.
CCCNW spokesperson, Noelle Duddy, said the group had
been in consultation with the HSE North West
regarding progress to reduce the waiting list.
She said the HSE advised delegates at the meeting
last Friday in Buncrana entitled 'Mammography
Services and Future Opportunities', that action was
currently underway to address the backlog.
"We will not rest until all of these women have been
assessed. It is of the utmost importance that these
women are seen and seen now," said Ms. Duddy, a
former breast cancer patient.
"We are hopeful that the progress being made is real
progress and that this list will be made to
disappear for good. CCCNW will continue to monitor
this situation."
CCCNW, which recently broke away from the Donegal
Action for Cancer Care group, intends exploring the
feasibility of a mobile service in the Republic,
similar to that provided by Action Cancer North
Ireland. The group is also campaigning for the
speedy roll out of Phase 2 of the National Breast
Screening Programme and BreastCheck which has not
yet arrived in the west.
Meanwhile, Ms. Duddy said many women in Donegal were
'indebted' to Action Cancer Northern Ireland for
providing them, for many years, with a mammogram
service. Action Cancer NI is the only charity in the
North providing an early detection service.
"This cancer organisation opens its doors freely to
all women and it is responsible for saving the lives
of many Donegal women. Our families cannot thank
them enough," she said.
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