INTERNATIONAL EVIDENCE did not support introducing a population-based screening programme for prostate cancer at this time, Minister for Health Dr James Reilly told the Dáil.

“The department and the HSE are keeping the emerging international evidence under review, including the results of randomised trials that are being conducted internationally,” he said.

Dr Reilly was replying to Waterford Independent TD John Halligan, who suggested a national screening programme involving a simple examination and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

The Minister said that rapid access prostate cancer diagnostic clinics were now operational in six of the eight designated cancer centres. Two further clinics were due to open later this year.

Patients who were judged to be at higher risk of prostate cancer, based on agreed criteria, were being fast-tracked directly to those clinics.

“These patients will have a definitive diagnosis established with two weeks of referral and, if cancer is confirmed, they will have immediate access to a multidisciplinary specialist cancer consultation regarding appropriate management,” Dr Reilly added.

Mr Halligan said he was disappointed, to a degree, by the Minister’s response.

“The statistics show that well over 2,500 men in Ireland are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, with deaths reaching well over 550 per year,” he added.

“Prostate cancer has become the most common male cancer in Irish men, one in 12 of whom will develop it,’’ said Mr Halligan.

The Independent Waterford TD said there was extensive publicity about breast cancer but, incredibly, the risk of a man getting prostate cancer was only 2 per cent lower.

As a consequence of the ageing population, it was predicted that there would be a 275 per cent increase in prostate cancer by 2020.

Dr Reilly said he was obliged to accept what the medical experts told him.

“On many occasions since I entered office, I said our policy would be evidence-based and so it will be,” he added.

Mr Halligan said a simple PSA test without a medical examination cost €20.

“I have spoken to doctors about this and they say it should be done free because it would not cost the health service a huge amount,” he added.