CervicalCheck, which recommenced at the start of July, screened 39,312 people in the first six months of the year, compared to 206,315 across all of 2019. Even if it were to screen people at last year’s average rate of 17,192 per month, it would still fall short of the 2019 total.Similarly, BowelScreen saw 122,724 people in 2019 and 21,821 in the first half of this year.
“The importance of catching cancer early is indisputable, and the Covid-19 pandemic has caused complications in delivering cancer care,” Mr Cullinane said. “While screening is not a diagnostic test, it is hugely important in our fight against cancer.”said that screening, while indeed not a diagnostic test, was a “central plank” of Ireland’s cancer strategy.“The impact of the pandemic is being layered on top of long-term challenges and waiting lists that pre-existed Covid.
There are different timelines for the restarting of the three services. In CervicalCheck those who were called for an early repeat appointment, or their first screening, were prioritised first, followed by those due routine screening. Some 600 patients due colonoscopies under BowelCheck, which restarted in early August, have largely either had the procedures rescheduled or completed. BreastCheck is due to resume in September or October, with just over 100,000 invites to issue, which will be sent to those waiting the longest first. The Health Service Executive said it would take “some months” to catch up.