asked the Minister for Health the number of terminal cancer cases recorded in 1985; if he will list the number of persons in each category of cancer for that year; and the steps he and agencies answerable to his Department, are taking to combat this terrible disease.
Written Answers. - Cancer Statistics.
106.
The number of deaths registered as due to cancer in 1985 is set out in the following (provisional data):
Deaths from Cancer in 1985 (Provisional Data)
|
Cause of Death |
Number of Deaths |
|
Malignant Neoplasma of: |
|
|
—Stomach |
503 |
|
—Colon |
683 |
|
—Rectum, rectosigmoid junction and anus |
227 |
|
—Trachea, Bronchus and Lung |
1,546 |
|
—Female Breast |
571 |
|
—Cervix Uteri |
73 |
|
Leukaemia |
181 |
|
Other Malignant Neoplasms |
2,937 |
|
Total |
6,721 |
Not all of the factors known to or thought to impact on the incidence of cancer are amenable to intervention by the health services. The measures being taken to combat the disease within the remit of the health services are concerned with prevention firstly, secondly, diagnosis and treatment after the onset of the disease and thirdly, research.
In recongnition of the impact of personal lifestyle on individual health the Health Education Bureau was established in 1975 to provide advice and education on health matters to the general public. In 1986 the bureau's budget is £2 million. Much of the bureau's activity is concerned with the prevention of lifestyle related diseases, including cancer. A prominent example, is the bureau's various anti-smoking campaigns.
Also, in the area of smoking, now known to be a major contributory factor in many cancer deaths, a number of controls are exercised on the promotion of tobacco products. On 9 May, I signed new Tobacco Products Regulations which, when they come into operation later this year, will help emphasise the risks to health from smoking. Under the new Regulations, which replace Regulations made in 1979, advertisements and packages of cigarettes will be required to carry in rotation, more forceful health warnings. Warnings will be displayed on the front and back of packages and will occupy an increased area of the package as will the warning on advertisements for tobacco products. The Regulations also provide for stricter controls on the conduct of events sponsored by tobacco companies.
In addition to these Regulations, I intend, shortly, to introduce a new Tobacco (Health Protection) Bill, which will prohibit or restrict smoking in a variety of designated public places.
In regard to diagnosis and treatment many of the health services are concerned with the curative or palliative treatment of cancer. These include general practitioner and public health nursing, the refund of drugs scheme, and out-patient or in-patient diagnostic and treatment services in acute hospitals. In the case of cervical cancer a screening service is available nationally. Patients suffering from cancer may be treated in general hospitals or specialised radiotherapy units depending on the form of the disease in individual cases. The standards of treatment available in Ireland are comparable to those provided in other developed countries.
The Medical Research Council of Ireland has conducted numerous projects related to cancer research.