The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on EU states to introduce nationwide breast screening for all women aged between 50 and 69.
Ireland is among 14 member states not to provide a nationwide mammographic service, which the World Health Organisation estimates can reduce deaths from breast cancer in the 50-69 age group by up to 35 per cent.
During a debate yesterday on the resolution, Independent MEP Marian Harkin said it was to the Republic's shame that it could not offer a national service.
"Shame on all of us and shame on my own country - Ireland - where we have not yet rolled out BreastCheck on a nationwide basis," she said. The number of deaths from breast cancer was significantly higher in the Republic than in Northern Ireland, where breast screening was available in all areas, she added.
Breast cancer is the most common cause of death among women aged between 35 and 55 in the EU, claiming 88,000 women - as well as 1,000 men - every year.
The Government has set a target of 2007 for the national extension of the BreastCheck service.
Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward said there was also a need to inform women better of the risks of the disease and to make the study of its causes a priority.
"There is a need for more extensive research on the causes of breast cancer, in particular on the effects of hazardous chemicals and the environmental pollution, nutrition, lifestyle and genetic factors," he said.
Mr Aylward called on the European Commission to financially support further development of blood-based tests and to urge member states to establish information and counselling centres where they do not exist.
EU guidelines for breast-cancer screening were first drawn up in 1992. However, only 11 member states offer nationwide screening: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the UK.
Some 35 per cent of women with breast cancer are under 55, and the parliament recommended that special attention be paid to the problems of young women with the disease.
The parliament also urged member states to ensure nationwide provision of interdisciplinary breast centres by 2016.
It argued that treatment in such centres - which are operating only in the UK - has been proved to raise chances of survival and to improve patients' quality of life.