The Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland congratulates the Minister for Health and Children on the roll out of a Human Papilloma Virus vaccination programme for girls and the introduction of screening for colorectal cancer in 2012. The Dean of the Faculty, Dr Patricia Fitzpatrick said “To make true inroads into cancer we need to address both preventive and therapeutic options and the announcement of these two preventive measures by the Minister is very welcome indeed.” 

The introduction of CervicalCheck, the national programme for cervical screening in 2008 and now the HPV vaccination programme means that Ireland can finally properly tackle cervical cancer, which is highly preventable.

Dr Fitzpatrick said “However, what remains essential is that women aged 25-60 years take up their invitation from CervicalCheck and that parents embrace fully the HPV vaccination programme for their daughters.”

“Colorectal cancer is a major cause of death in both men and women; a quality assured screening programme for secondary prevention, coupled with continuing primary prevention of this disease through good diet and exercise, will give us the optimum preventive tools available for this cancer.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
 
Annemarie Murphy
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Direct Ph: 01 8639728
Mobile Ph: 086 8456646
Main Ph: 01 8639700
Fax: +353 1 6724707
annemariemurphy@rcpi.ie