Thousands of petitions from Sligo/Leitrim were given to Mary Harney, Minister for Health, calling for the immediate extension of Breastcheck to the North West.

This was stated by Deputy Marian Harkin who organised two public meetings, one in Sligo and one in Carrick on Shannon and expressed her sincere thanks to all who attended and made such an effort to collect signatures.

 “This is a clear message to the Taininste that the women of the North West will not be treated as second class citizens, that they demand equality of access to Breastcheck services”, Deputy Harkin said.

Early detection was vital for good outcomes and the lives of the women in the North West should not be put at risk, she said.  Mortality rates from breast cancer were higher in the Republic than in Northern Ireland and this was because Breastcheck operates all over Northern Ireland while this was not the case south of the Border, she said.

“This is a scandalous situation and the Tanaiste is in a position to change all of that.  The thousands of signatures from the North West area a clear message to the Tanaiste that an immediate extension of Breastcheck is required right now”, Marian Harkin concluded.