asked the Minister for Health if he is prepared to give generous grants to the Irish Cancer Society for the survey about to be carried out by them.
67.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Cancer.
66.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the facts which emerged at a recent conference on cancer, that one-third of Irish cancer patients are being cured, that two-thirds of all forms of cancer are curable if discovered in time, and that skin cancer is 100 per cent curable but a hundred Irish people die from it each year; and what action he intends to take to encourage people to seek medical advice earlier.
68.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the statement made by Professor Frederick Urbach, of Temple University Medical Centre, Philadelphia, that the Irish people are more susceptible to skin cancer than many other peoples; and if so, what action he intends to take.
69.
Mr. O'Leary
asked the Minister for Health whether he will take steps in consultation with the Irish Cancer Society to avoid scare pronouncements similar to the recent one on the connection between skin cancer and exposure to the sun.
Mr. O'Malley
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67, 68 and 69 together.
At the outset I wish to say that the necessity for seeking medical opinion promptly on the occurrence of suspicious symptoms or signs has always been stressed by those concerned with the treatment of cancer. Unfortunately, there is frequently a reluctance to act on this advice. The Irish Cancer Society has engaged in valuable publicity in efforts to bring home to the public the advantages of early advice and treatment. My Department has endeavoured by various measures to discourage young people, particularly, from taking up cigarette smoking.
My attention has been drawn to the statements attributed to Professor Urbach in regard to the incidence of skin cancer. Until the proposed survey in this country has been completed it would I think be premature for me to make any firm statements about the incidence of skin cancer here. I may say, however, that I have no scientific evidence which would establish that, in relation to Irish conditions, any particular amount of exposure to sunlight would cause skin cancer. The survey in question is being carried out with substantial financial assistance from the Irish Cancer Society, out of funds raised from the public. The balance of cost will be borne by the Galway County Council subject to recoupment from the Vote of my Department.
The subject of cancer publicity presents many problems and it is most difficult to maintain balance as well as effectiveness in view of the propensity to public unease on this subject. I am satisfied that the Irish Cancer Society already exercise great care in the preparation of publicity material for distribution to the public and I do not consider it necessary to make an approach to them in the matter.
I am sure that Deputies will not have overlooked, in reference to recent press reports, the valuable publicity which was given at the same time to the extent to which skin cancer can be successfully treated, if taken in time.
The Minister is aware of the irrational fear which exists, a fear similar to that which existed in relation to tuberculosis years ago? Is the Minister satisfied that the methods adopted at the present time to educate the people into seeking medical advice early, in their own interests, are satisfactory?
Mr. O'Malley
I could never be completely satisfied but, in reply to the Deputy, all I can say is that there has been a great improvement—I think the Deputy will agree with me—in the publicity given to this unfortunate disease among our people.
Is the Minister prepared to give top priority to this scourge in the same way as top priority was given by the inter-Party Government in 1949 to tuberculosis?
(Interruptions.)
(Cavan): In order to encourage people to avail of early treatment, would the Minister be prepared to consider making treatment, even institutional treatment, available free of charge as is done in the case of tuberculosis?
Mr. O'Malley
Yes. As I informed the Deputy on the Estimate for my Department—he raised the matter— this is being considered. Arising out of Deputy L'Estrange's supplementary, I should like to remind the Deputy that the tuberculosis campaign was initiated in this country in 1945, just in case he has got his dates mixed up.
1949.
Mr. O'Malley
1945.
Fianna Fáil do nothing about things until five years after they initiate them.
Mr. O'Malley
The campaign was commenced in 1945.
At any rate, we got rid of it. We were charged with building the sanatoria—the best day's work we ever did.
Mr. O'Malley
The disease was on the decline in 1949.
Thank God, the sanatoria are empty now.
Mr. O'Malley
Thank God.