Almost half of all people who require a colonoscopy - a procedure that is often used to detect bowel cancer - have been waiting for longer than three months, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has warned.

According to the ICS, at the end of March 2019, 5,371 public patients were waiting for longer than three months for this vital test - representing almost 50% of those waiting overall.

This is despite the fact that the HSE's own target states that 70% of people waiting for a routine colonoscopy will be seen within three months.

The ICS emphasised that long waiting times can cause patients worry and distress, and can lead to a delayed cancer diagnosis.

Its head of services, Donal Buggy, described the figures as ‘shocking'.

"Unfortunately, some of these people will go on to have a cancer diagnosis. It is crucially important that people are diagnosed early to make sure they have the best chance of survival.

"The emotional impact of waiting months for this common procedure can be very distressing, but bowel cancer is often very treatable if caught early," he commented.

He pointed out that the number of people being referred for colonoscopies is increasing every year and action needs to be taken now to reduce waiting times.

"The Government has to provide adequate funding for a strategic endoscopy plan, greater investment in workforce planning to deal with growing demand and hospitals must find more capacity to deal with waiting lists in their network."

"If this does not happen, some cancers may be diagnosed late, and the extension of BowelScreen to all people aged 55-74 will not happen," Mr Buggy insisted.

He acknowledged that some efforts have been made by the HSE and Department of Health to tackle waiting times, including the development of GP referral guidelines and the purchase of additional private appointments for those waiting a long time, ‘but progress to date has been slow'.

Also commenting on the figures, consultant gastroenterologist, Dr Orlaith Kelly, warned of an ‘acute lack of endoscopists' in hospitals, which are doctors specially trained to carry out procedures such as colonoscopies.
"This has become unsustainable and is a big part of the problem, and unfortunately some patients will bear the brunt through delayed diagnoses."

"It can take up to a year for a new consultant or advanced nurse practitioner post to be approved, even with proven clinical need and management support, so it's vitally important that the Government plans for future service demand now," she said.

Up to 2,800 people are expected to be diagnosed with bowel cancer this year, and more than 1,000 people will die from the disease. The ICS is encouraging anyone who has been affected by long waiting times to call its Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700.