Cancer protest backed

MORE than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for the restoration of the breast screening service to Nenagh General Hospital.

North Tipperary Labour Senator Kathleen O'Meara said that requests for petition sheets are being received from all over the county.

She added: "There has been a huge response on the issue.

"The public are very concerned that there is no prospect of a breast screening service being available in the area and are angry that an existing service was closed.

"Figures published last week showing that there is a higher rate of breast cancer in North Tipperary support the public's concern.

"Breast cancer is a major public health issue in North Tipperary and the Health Board must respond to it."

Senator O'Meara said that a group of women will this week visit the Cancer Centre in Limerick Regional Hospital and see developments there for themselves.

She added: "I have already been informed by Breast Check that it will take two years to roll out the programme from the date funding is provided.

"If there is a cut in funding due to the state of the government's finances it is possible that women in North Tipperary face a wait of many years before screening is available. This is not acceptable."

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