The National Screening Programme for breast cancer is projected to miss its targets this year, with an estimated 50,000 women unlikely to be screened. 

Liz Yates, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, joined The Anton Savage Show on Newstalk to outline the scale and consequences of this shortfall.

“Breast Check is only carrying out 170,000 screenings this year so that means 49,000 people who are eligible within the age range of breast check, which is the age of 50 to 69, will not be invited to attend for school,” Yates explained.

This is largely a capacity issue, with insufficient radiologists and funding limiting the system’s ability to meet its targets. 

“Unfortunately, the system hasn't been funded sufficiently to ensure that the number of radiologists needed to meet the of 170,000 for this year are not in place,” Yates said.

The consequences of missed screenings can be severe. 

“Early detection is absolutely key for any long term survival rates,” she said. 

“If 99 of 100 women attend for breast check and 99 are caught at stage one, in five years they will still be alive.” the CEO explained. 

However, if cancer is detected at stage four, only 7% of those women will survive beyond five years.

Picture by: Alamy.com

Over the last three years, missed targets could mean that approximately 125,000 women have had delayed screenings. 

“That could be approximately 41,000 women who are not diagnosed at stage one…If it's diagnosed at stage three or stage four, it's much more difficult to treat,” she noted.

Yates also highlighted the importance of male breast screenings, as approximately 30 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. 

“Men won't be called for breast screening but breast cancer does arise in 1% of cases with men,” she told the show. 

Yeats, who herself, is a cancer survivor, urged the importance of visiting your local GP if you discover anything irregular. 

“If you notice any kind of a lump or a bump, be it in your testicle or your breast... Go and get it checked out,” she said.

For more information on cancer screening and resources, Yates recommends visiting mariekeating.ie.

Written by Annemarie Roberts