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The number of cervical cancer screenings dropped by more than 50% compared to last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Screening services were stopped in March due to the virus and resumed again in July.
CervicalCheck today told the Oireachtas Health Committee that more than 117,000 women in primary care had been screened as of the end of November.
The organization’s clinical director, Dr. Noírín Russell, told committee members that this compares with about 46% of the women screened last year.
Dr. Russell said additional capacity in cervical screening would have to be made available next year to deal with the buildup.
She was responding to Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane, who wanted to know how long it would take for the service to catch up with the screening that was missed due to the pause in services.
Dr. Russell told Congressman Cullinane that the hiatus that occurred due to Covid-19 was permanent and that it would not be possible to “catch up.”
She said: “What catching up would mean is doing twice the work and testing twice as many women in a month than we normally do.
“There is reduced capacity throughout our screening program and we are not going to be able to duplicate all of a sudden.
Dr. Russell also said that all women waiting for a cervical exam will receive an invitation letter before the end of the year.
Despite Covid-19 pressures on laboratory supplies internationally, about 80% of result letters are issued within 6 weeks, he said.
CervicalCheck’s clinical director has told an Oireachtas committee that an invitation letter will have been sent out by the end of the year to everyone who is due for cervical screening this year. | Read more: https://t.co/B7zqeG80EP pic.twitter.com/dRMkOq7jxE
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 9, 2020
Dr. Russell also noted that due to the typically slow progression of cervical cancer, beneficial outcomes are not reduced if detection is delayed for six months.
The Irish Cancer Society warned that many cancer services are struggling to meet patient demand.
Rachel Morrogh, Director of Advocacy and External Affairs, described the overwhelming fear and loneliness felt by people who have received life-changing news alone.
In his opening statement, he said that the performance of some cancer services is worsening, not improving, due to lack of funds and an incomplete workforce.
Morrogh said that Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on a system that for many years had insufficient capacity.
He told committee members that until waiting lists are removed, patient care will be compromised.
He noted that thousands of people have symptoms and wait for a diagnosis, but cannot access a test to find out what is wrong.
The co-leader of the Social Democrats, Róisín Shortall, asked about staffing levels in cancer services.
He said that additional funds were provided in the budget, but that it was “infuriating and frustrating” when money is available but cannot be recruited.
The director of the National Cancer Control Program, Risteárd Ó Laoide, said that within each of the programs they are working on the assessment of personnel needs.
Deputy Shortall said that action should be taken regarding staff shortages in different areas. He also asked for an update regarding the delay in the breast and bowel exam.
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