The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has marked World Cancer Day as a new report says Ireland’s increased five-year cancer survival rates are indicative of “high-quality care”.
The recently-published country profile by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the European Cancer Inequalities Registry highlights that per capita mortality for 9 of the 10 most common cancers between 2011 and 2019. Overall cancer mortality in this period reduced by 14% for men and 13% for women.
These improved outcomes are a result of significant investment in cancer services and supports, including prevention and screening through Ireland’s three cancer screening programmes.
The progress was lauded by Minister Donnelly as he marked World Cancer Day, which is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), of which the National Cancer Control Programme and Irish Cancer Society are members.
Minister Donnelly said: “The theme of World Cancer Day this year is ‘Close the care gap”, a continuation of last year’s theme which recognises the power of working together to make real progress in reducing the global impact of cancer.
“It also recognises that inequity in cancer care costs lives, and this motivation is at the core of our aim to ensure that everyone has timely access to high-quality care.
“We have made significant strides in recent years, providing access to revolutionary new therapies, appointing additional acute oncology nurses to help cancer patients to avoid Emergency Departments, and we’re now easing the financial burden through the abolition of all public hospital in-patient charges.
“Tackling cancer is a mammoth task, but we are seeing progress, and I’m very heartened that we are reporting increased survival rates and seeing more people live longer with, and beyond, cancer.”
For the first time, the number of patients living after an invasive cancer diagnosis has exceeded the 200,000 mark, equivalent to 1 in 24 people in Ireland.
Progress continues via the roll-out of Ireland’s National Cancer Strategy 2017 – 2026 which was supported by an additional €20 million in funding in 2021 and again in 2022.
The Early Diagnosis of Symptomatic Cancer Plan 2022-2025, launched in May 2022, aims to provide a strategic, comprehensive approach to increasing the proportion of symptomatic cancers that are diagnosed with the early-stage disease in Ireland. For many cancers, the stage at diagnosis is the most important determinant of survival.
Information campaigns are being rolled out under this plan to promote awareness of cancer among the public and healthcare professionals.
This work is also complemented by cross-government policies to reduce cancer incidences by targeting behavioural risk factors including smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity.
Ireland currently operates three population-based cancer screening programmes (BowelScreen, BreastCheck, CervicalCheck), with a September 2022 trend report from the National Cancer Registry stating that they are effective, in detecting cancers earlier and saving lives.
Proposals to further expand cancer screening are currently being assessed by the National Screening Advisory Committee.
Recent investment in cancer screening has included funding for the new National Cervical Screening Laboratory (NCSL) at the Coombe hospital which began operating in December 2022, as well as a range of initiatives under the Women’s Health Fund.
Ireland’s roadmap to eliminate cervical cancer was published in January 2023, with a target date to reach this goal to be unveiled later this year.
Commenting on the developments, Minister Donnelly said: “The landmark investment in cancer services in 2021 and 2022, together with our preventative strategies, are improving the wellbeing of our population and specifically people living with cancer in a very tangible way.
“We have come a long way and I’m very pleased that today we can provide innovative treatments, expanded services around the country and crucially, better access to affordable services.
“While there is of course much to be done, I’m confident that we are taking big steps in the right direction.
“This World Cancer Day, I would like to take the opportunity to say the most heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the dedicated and hardworking caregivers in oncology services across the country, as well as government agencies, who work tirelessly and assist our loved ones by continuing to give expert, compassionate care.”