BreastCheck Fails to Meet Screening Targets for Second Year

The BreastCheck screening service in Ireland has once again fallen short of its screening targets, marking the second consecutive year of underperformance. According to a report by RTÉ, the national free breast screening service, provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE), aimed to screen 195,000 individuals in 2022 but managed only 137,134 screenings. In 2023, the target was set at 185,000, yet the service completed 166,532 screenings.

Impact of Staffing Shortages

The HSE has attributed these disappointing figures to a global shortage of radiology staff, which has significantly impacted the service’s capacity. A spokesperson for the HSE stated, “Despite these pressures, we are expanding capacity.” They noted ongoing efforts to recruit new consultants and radiographers, as well as initiatives to enhance service delivery, including adding mobile screening units and upgrading IT systems.

Despite the challenges, the uptake rate of the screening program remains strong. The HSE reported an uptake of 72 percent in 2024, surpassing the program’s standard of 70 percent. This suggests that public interest in breast cancer screening remains high, even as the service faces operational hurdles.

COVID-19’s Lingering Effects

The BreastCheck program has also been affected by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020 and 2021, the service was paused for several months, which contributed to a backlog in screenings. Approximately 3,500 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in Ireland each year, underscoring the importance of effective screening services.

As the HSE continues to address staffing shortages and improve service delivery, the focus remains on ensuring that more individuals can access necessary screenings in a timely manner. The commitment to expanding capacity and utilizing new technologies is aimed at enhancing the overall effectiveness of the BreastCheck program in the coming years.