Public patients face waits of up to 480 days for important cancer tests, with tests for gynaecological, neurological, urological and head and neck cancers, "particularly problematic".
That's according to an in-depth survey of GPs carried out by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and published this morning.
The report,
Access to Diagnostics Used to Detect Cancer, shows a stark difference in access to life-saving tests between the public system and the private system.
The survey, commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society, revealed that waiting times for MRI Brain scans were estimated to be on average 20 times higher in the public system than the private, while the difference in average waiting times between public and private systems for abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds is 70 days.
Currently, 46 per cent of people in Ireland have private health insurance, around 39 per cent hold a medical card and the remainder have access to public healthcare, but have little to no support for the costs that entails.
The Irish Cancer Society says that this report highlights a stark divide between those who can afford to pay for private health insurance and those who cannot.
Donal Buggy, Head of Services and Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society said:
“The grim reality of our health care system is that the difference between life and death can come down to your ability to pay for healthcare.”
According to the report, 88.5 per cent of GPs surveyed said that ability to pay affected a patient’s access to referral services.
Mr. Buggy said:
“Early diagnosis often means a cancer is more likely to be treated successfully, intervention will be less complicated, and chances of survival may be higher. However, for the majority of the population without access to the private system, they may have to face lengthy waits that deprive them of early access to either a diagnosis or peace of mind.”
The report made a number of recommendations, including the introduction of new guidelines for referral for cancer tests that would mean the right patients are seen at the right time and that GPs have access to tests for suspected cancers within 28 days in each Hospital Group.
Until then however, it seems that those who cannot afford to pay will be left behind.
Anyone concerned about cancer can call the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700. 
