Minister for Health Mary Harney has asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to identify “innovative ways” of introducing a national bowel cancer screening programme “within existing resources”.
Ms Harney said colorectal cancer killed over 900 people in Ireland every year and she wanted to introduce a screening programme "as soon as possible".
She welcomed the launch today of two related reports, recommending screening for the disease for all 55-74-year-olds, from HIQA and the National Cancer Screening Service. HIQA claimed the type of programme it was recommending - an examination of stool samples every two years - would result in a 36 per cent reduction in deaths from the cancer.
The Minister said: "I want to introduce a national programme of colorectal cancer screening as soon as possible.
"The expert reports confirm that a properly organised screening programme would have huge public health benefits and I want to find innovative ways of putting that in place."
Ms Harney has asked HIQA to report to her by the end of September. "I am pleased that HIQA has agreed to use its skills and expertise to set out how the Irish healthcare system can deliver this important programme within existing resources," she said.
Ms Harney also welcomed the support of the Irish Cancer Society which has offered funding towards the roll-out of such a programme.
The Society's chief executive John McCormack said a specific fundraising initiative would be undertaken to provide financial support to the Government.
"The level of support will then depend on the success of the fundraising initiative as well as our confidence that the screening programme proposed will meet the highest possible standards," he said.
In Ireland colorectal cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, after prostate cancer and the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, after breast cancer.
The new cases of colorectal cancer in Ireland – around 2,000 per year - rank among the highest in Western Europe for both men and women, and the death rate is higher for men in Ireland than elsewhere in Europe.
Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly said the proposals should be given a cautious welcome. Mr Reilly raised concerns over Ms Harney's contention that no extra funding will be available for the scheme, which could cost in the region of €15 million.
"The cancellation of the cervical cancer vaccination programme is a cautionary tale when it comes to Minister Mary Harney's proposals on colorectal cancer screening," he said.
"It is my belief that, with a vigorous attack on waste and a rigorous approach to gaining efficiencies, it is possible to give patients better services.
"To the great detriment of the health service, the minister's track record on this is dismal. If she would make colorectal cancer screening a reality she would have my full support, however all prior experience makes me sadly pessimistic."
