Almost 25% of 'urgent' patients waiting too long for breast clinic appointments
New data obtained by the Irish Cancer Society shows that just 76.3% of patients got their appointment within the target of 10 working days.
The figures have been described as a 'shocking postcode lottery', with patients living in certain areas less likely than others to get a much-needed appointment.
This comes as
The Journal Investigates
reported the detrimental physical and psychological impacts delays to cancer care are having on people across the country.
Earlier this week, our team showed that not only are hospitals failing to consistently start chemo on time, but people are waiting for diagnostic scans, surgeries and other treatments.
READ OUR FULL SERIES HERE >>
'Early treatment dramatically reduces your risk of dying from cancer,' Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said.
'A person's chances of surviving cancer are up to four times higher when treated at Stage 1 than at Stage 4.
'Today's figures highlight alarming failures to meet those targets in many cancer centres, due to shortages of staff, physical space and equipment.'
They also reveal a shocking postcode lottery in Irish cancer care, with where you live determining how quickly you can access lifesaving tests and treatment.
The charity is calling for an extra €20 million investment in development funding in Budget 2026.
Wait times vary substantially by hospital.
For urgent breast disease clinics, from March 2024 to February this year, Mater University Hospital had the lowest compliance. Fewer than three in 10 patients there (28.9%) got appointments within the recommended time.
Only 54.5% of patients were seen on time in St James's Hospital in Dublin and this was just 59.8% in Letterkenny Hospital.
Patients trying to access urgent prostate rapid access clinics also faced delays during that period.
Nationally, just 74.2% were seen within the recommended 20 working days, but again this varied between hospitals.
This time, Galway University Hospital had significant delays, with just 12.7% of patients getting their prostate appointment on time.
Regional disparities were also evident in cancer treatment data reported by
The Journal Investigates
on Monday
, with a number of hospitals continuing to drastically underperform.
'Significant demand on existing services'
In a statement issued in response to these findings, the HSE said that access to diagnostics and capacity within assessment and treatment services were key challenges.
The spokesperson gave a number of reasons for the cause of 'significant demand on existing services, as evidenced by performance data'.
These include 'increased referrals driven by population growth, heightened awareness of symptoms and improved detection' and 'increasing complexity of both diagnostic pathways and cancer care'.
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'Today, over 220,000 people in Ireland are living with or after cancer, which is a 50% increase compared to a decade ago.'
To improve efficiency of services, the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) 'is introducing more streamlined clinical pathways based on clinical evidence'.
Liam Downey, president of the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT) told
The Journal Investigates
earlier this week
that a more streamlined service was possible by having units that are 'purely scheduled care'.
The HSE spokesperson said that 'a mammography-only breast route' and 'a dedicated family history pathway for those at increased risk' are among the pathways being introduced.
'Infrastructure investments are ongoing to expand theatre capacity, inpatient beds, systemic therapy day wards and aseptic compounding units.'
But the HSE also said:
To sustain this progress, consistency and assurance around future funding would be helpful.
'The NCCP is actively engaging within the HSE and with the Department of Health to ensure adequate resources are in place for 2026 and beyond.'
Relying on ageing equipment
Readers of
The Journal
told us these delays
were having drastic physical and psychological impacts on them.
They felt forgotten, holding their breaths, unable to think about their future.
Margaret Higgins, who resorted to getting a private scan due to the backlog, said:
'The system is so broken… If you haven't got somebody strong to fight for you, you just get left behind.'
The Society of Radiation Oncology says an ongoing equipment replacement programme is needed.
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Commenting on the data released today, John Armstrong, president of the Irish Society of Radiation Oncology (ISRO), said that sustained investment is needed 'to address the chronic staff shortages we are facing'.
He also said that ageing equipment needs to be upgraded.
'We need an ongoing replacement programme so that every ten years we don't find ourselves in the unacceptable situation of relying on predictably inefficient machinery.'
On this, the HSE spokesperson said that 'a national radiation oncology equipment replacement programme, along with the expansion of the radiotherapy facility at the Beaumont Centre… is further enhancing radiation treatment capacity'.
When asked about delays being experience in cancer services, the Department of Health told us that 'since 2017, funding of €105 million has been invested in the National Cancer Strategy, including €23 million in 2025″. They added:
'The Programme for Government commits to building on our progress in cancer control and improving the lives of people living with and beyond cancer.'
—
Maria Delaney is the editor of
The Journal Investigates
.
Our investigative unit is dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works. This takes time and it takes resources. Find out how you can help:
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[ Haemochromatosis: it's known as the 'Celtic gene' for good reason Opens in new window ] 'I would advise people not to ignore haemochromatosis. You may not look sick and put your symptoms down to stress or a busy lifestyle, but haemochromatosis can creep up quietly and cause serious damage if it's missed. 'It's not a condition to be scared of, just one to be aware of. The test is as simple as a blood draw and genetic screening – and for those who get diagnosed, I promise the venesection needles are not as scary as the images online.' [ `I had to give about 40 pints of blood to get my iron back down to normal levels' Opens in new window ] Professor John Ryan, consultant hepatologist/gastroenterologist at Beaumont Hospital, says it is important to be aware of the signs. 'If you have two copies of the haemochromatosis gene, you may be at risk of developing iron overload,' he says. 'If haemochromatosis is undiagnosed or untreated, iron overload can lead to organ damage or even premature death. 'Because early symptoms of haemochromatosis such as chronic fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain (non-specific) and low mood can be non-specific and attributed to many other causes, haemochromatosis can be initially difficult to diagnose. 'Most people don't have any symptoms, as the iron builds up very gradually over years. But if you are experiencing any of these symptoms or you have a history of haemochromatosis in your family, go to your GP and ask for an iron panel test. If your ferritin and/or TSat levels are elevated, a genetic test is recommended to confirm a diagnosis of haemochromatosis.' Alice Kelly. Once diagnosed, the haemochromatosis expert says, treatment can begin. 'The primary treatment consists of the removal of blood (similar to blood donation, only more frequent) at regular intervals until iron levels return to normal,' he says. 'Once normal iron levels are re-established, they can be maintained by periodic blood removal (2-5 times per year, depending on the individual). During this maintenance phase, if eligible, blood can be donated through the Irish Blood Transfusion Service .' About haemochromatosis Hereditary haemochromatosis is the most common genetic disorder in Ireland. One in five people are carriers and 1 in 83 are predisposed to developing haemochromatosis. The Irish Haemochromatosis Association estimates there are at least 20,000 undiagnosed cases of haemochromatosis in Ireland. Both women and men are equally at risk of having the condition. Early symptoms may include: Chronic fatigue. Abdominal pain (non-specific). Joint pain, especially in the knuckle and first joint of the first and second fingers. Loss of sex drive. Low mood. Later symptoms may include: Liver disease including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Type II diabetes (adult onset). Hypothyroidism. Disease of the heart muscle and irregular heartbeat.
