The female members of Kerry County Council are calling for the age women qualify for BreastCheck screening to be reduced.
They tabled a joint motion on the issue at the recent meeting of Kerry County Council.
BreastCheck is the national breast screening programme and it currently offers free breast screening to those aged 50 to 69.
However, the women elected to Kerry County Council tabled the motion calling for change within the screening programme.
Councillors Deirdre Ferris, Angie Baily, Maura Healy-Rae, Norma Moriarty, Anne O’Sullivan, Aoife Kennelly and Marie Moloney all spoke on the motion, highlighting its importance and why they feel change is needed.
They told the meeting this motion comes in light of the rising incidence rates of breast cancer among women under 50, and what they say is the clear evidence that early detection leads to better outcomes.
They are calling on the Department of Health and the HSE to expand BreastCheck eligibility to begin from at least the age of 40.
The Kerry County Councillors also want to see the screening criteria expanded to include risk factors such as dense breast tissue and hereditary risks including BRCA mutations, which they say affect men as well as women.
The motion was also supported by male members of the council.
