Vol. 569 No. 3
161 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the investigation he intends to carry out into a serious rise in the incidence of lung cancers among people in the east of the country, highlighted in the recent annual report of the EHRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17544/03]
The annual report of the ERHA referred to by the Deputy states that cancer incidence, for males and females, is significantly higher in the eastern region than the national average, based on data for the years 1994-97, and excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. This is mainly due to lung cancer, which accounts for approximately one in every five male cancers and one in even ten female cancers. Over two fifths – 42% – of all lung cancers in the country occur in the region. The report further states that annually, there are over 600 lung cancers in the region, that at least 500 of these could be prevented if people did not smoke and that smoking prevention is a major priority for the region.
The National Cancer Registry has informed my Department that for the period 1994-99, the European age standardised incidence rates, EASR, of lung cancer for the ERHA were significantly higher than that observed for Ireland overall, with rates for females and males 36% and 35% higher than the national rates. The National Cancer Registry has concluded that the higher rates of lung cancer in the ERHA presumably indicate, or reflect, higher rates of smoking – past or present – among the population there, compared with the national average. For example, a preliminary analysis of 1994-99 data indicates that, among patients diagnosed with invasive cancer in Ireland, residents of the ERHA are 14% more likely than the overall Irish population to have ever smoked, that is, either current or ex-smokers.
The national cancer strategy acknowledges that the cause of most cancers is multi-factorial but that there is strong evidence that lifestyle factors, in particular smoking, alcohol and diet play an important role. The promotion of healthy lifestyles is a key element of the work of my Department's Health Promotion Unit and spending by the unit since the launch of the national cancer strategy on these topics is in excess of €17 million. The Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 signifies my commitment to a range of anti-smoking measures. In this regard, I announced on 30 January last, my decision to ban smoking in all workplaces from 1 January 2004. This ban will include the hospitality industry where many workers are exposed to passive smoking.
