Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cancer Statistics.

Austin Deasy

Question:

80 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health if there are statistics available for the occurrence of cancer in the various parts of the country; if there is any abnormal incidence of the disease in (1) Waterford city and (2) Waterford county, and more particularly in the Abbeyside/ Dungarvan area of County Waterford.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell):

The Annual Reports on Vital Statistics which are compiled by the Central Statistics Office include a table which classifies deaths by principal groups of causes (including cancer) of residents in each county and county borough. In regard to Waterford, this table gives a breakdown of deaths from cancer in Waterford County Borough and in County Waterford but not in relation to the Abbeyside/Dungarvan area of County Waterford.

The following table sets out the age standardised death rates from cancer per 1000 population nationally and for Waterford County and Waterford County Borough for the period 1984-1988 (1988 is the most recent year for which final figures are available).

Age standardised death rates from cancer per 1000 population

	Nationally	Waterford County	Waterford County Borough
1984	1.89	1.87	1.98
1985	1.89	2.39	1.54
1986	1.95	2.01	2.05
1987	1.96	2.02	1.92
1988	2.02	2.24	1.62

Source: Annual Reports on Viatal Statistics (CSO).

There is no national information available currently on the occurrence of cancer but the National Cancer Registry Board (which at present covers counties Cork and Kerry only) is in the process of drawing up plans to extend its area of coverage to the entire country and this will eventually allow detailed information to be assembled on the incidence and prevalence of cancer.