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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Cancer Related Deaths.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths from cancer by region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27297/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths from various forms of cancer in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27298/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. This information is available from the Central Statistics Office and is provisional information relating to deaths registered for the year 1998.

Health Board Area

Number of Deaths

Eastern

2561

Midland

437

Mid-Western

670

North-Eastern

574

North-Western

513

South-Eastern

803

Southern

1147

Western

788

Total

7493

The number of deaths from cancer during the past ten years by site of the disease is set out in the following table. The information for 1996, 1997 and 1998 is provisional information based on the year of registration.

Year

All Cancers

Trachea,Bronchus &Lung

FemaleBreast

Stomach

Colon

Rectum,RectosigmoidJunction andAnus

Cervix, Uteri

Leukaemia

1989

7,339

1,594

688

436

767

209

68

246

1990

7,115

1,529

603

446

674

195

65

240

1991

7,267

1,472

655

466

669

221

57

216

1992

7,539

1,559

658

437

707

248

69

229

1993

7,589

1,608

652

451

701

227

74

245

1994

7,412

1,550

648

420

681

242

60

194

1995

7,519

1,574

654

410

728

246

72

180

1996

7,306

1,480

632

393

669

210

82

209

1997

7,528

1,391

641

387

726

236

86

216

1998

7,493

1,526

602

351

667

230

76

236

There have been substantial developments in the care and treatment of patients with cancer throughout the country over the last number of years. Considerable improvements have taken place in this area since the launch in November 1996 of the national cancer strategy, and the announcement in March 1997 of the action plan to implement the strategy.
In order to achieve the objectives set out in the cancer strategy, some £26 million has been allocated between 1997 and 1999 to develop a range of cancer services throughout the country. I have allocated further cancer funding of £11.464 million to the health agencies for 2000. This will ensure the continued development of the cancer services in line with the strategy.
The main areas in which improvements have taken place to date are as follows: funding for 22 additional consultant appointments in the areas of medical oncology, haematology, palliative care and histopathology since 1997; screening programmes, including the national breast screening programme, which has commenced, and the forthcoming national cervical screening programme; the national cancer registry published its third national report on the incidence of and mortality from cancer in Ireland. I have provided funding of over £100,000 to enable the registry to develop a data analysis and research programme; a review of counselling services throughout the country, which is a very important element in the treatment of patients with cancer, was funded and carried out by the Eastern Health Board; and 24 cancer liaison nurses were funded and appointed in the Eastern Health Board area to improve and enhance the integration and co-ordination of the treatment of cancer patients.
The National Cancer Forum submitted a report to me outlining the developments under the cancer strategy and highlighting many of the future needs of the cancer services. I am aware that many of the developments mentioned already have resulted in further demands being put on the services available. The particular areas needing further consideration include radiotherapy services, symptomatic breast cancer services, specialist oncology nurse training and education, and palliative care and counselling services. These areas are currently being examined by my Department. The funding of £11.464 million which I have allocated for cancer services in 2000 will be of importance in this regard.
I am confident that cancer services in Ireland are developing in an appropriate, co-ordinated and integrated fashion. I am pleased to report that we are making good progress in achieving the objectives of the strategy. I am committed to ensuring that cancer patients in Ireland, wherever they live, will have a high quality cancer treatment service available to them.
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