The number of public patients waiting over three months for a colonoscopy - a procedure that is often used to detect bowel cancer - reached an all-time high at the end of March, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has highlighted.

It is calling on political parties to commit to tackling this serious issue.

Latest figures show that since the start of 2016, the number of people waiting for more than three months for a colonoscopy has risen by almost 1,000. By the end of last month, 4,343 public patients were waiting at least three months for this test.

According to the ICS's head of services and advocacy, Donal Buggy, these waiting times ‘have reached a critical point'.

Currently, 44% of people waiting for this test have been waiting for at least three months. Furthermore at two hospitals, over 75% have been waiting over three months.

The ICS estimates that if these trends continue, 7,187 people will be waiting for more than three months for this test by the end of the year.

"We acknowledge the efforts of the HSE in tackling waiting times through external appointments at private facilities, but this only appears to have a short-term impact. An ambitious, long-term approach is needed to resolve the current situation, and we believe that political input is required to do so," Mr Buggy commented.

The ICS noted that towards the end of last year, the HSE, via the National Treatment Purchase Fund, arranged appointments for public patients who had been waiting for over 12 months for a colonoscopy in private hospitals. As a result of this, the waiting list for such patients fell to 114 by the end of December 2015. However, the current number now stands at 544.

"No one should be waiting longer than three months for a colonoscopy. The stark reality is that we can expect some colorectal (bowel) cancers to be diagnosed when patients on waiting lists eventually receive their colonoscopy," Mr Buggy warned.

He said that this issue needs a ‘hands-on approach' and it is the responsibility of the next government to coordinate this.

"We realise that there is no one-size fits all solution to a problem that has been with us for years. Creative thinking is now needed to address it and we are willing to contribute to this discussion in whatever way possible," he added.

The ICS is calling for a number of things, including adequate investment to ensure that there are enough radiographers and gastroenterologists working in hospitals, and clear guidelines for GPs, so that they know when to refer a patient for a colonoscopy and when another type of investigation might be better suited.

Almost 2,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Ireland and it is the second most common cause of cancer death here. If anyone has any concerns about bowel cancer, or any other type of cancer, call the ICS's Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700.