Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cancer Death Statistics.

Ivor Callely

Question:

85 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the total number of deaths in 1991 in Ireland and if he will give comparative figures in the European Community which are due to cancer or cancer-related illness; the progress, if any, made in addressing this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The number of deaths registered in Ireland for 1991 as due to cancer was 7,312. Comparative mortality rates per 100,000 population for EC countries for males and females for the most recent year available are as set out in the following table:

Cancer Death Rates per 100,000 Population for EC Countries*

		Rate per 100,000 population
Country	Year	Male	Female
Belgium	1986	324	230
Denmark	1989	307	290
France	1989	308	188
German
Federal Republic	1989	286	264
Greece	1989	238	147
Ireland	1991	225	191
Italy	1987	297	194
Luxembourg	1989	283	225
Netherlands	1989	274	204
Portugal	1990	215	155
Spain	1987	227	143
United Kingdom	1990	300	262

*Source: World Health Statistics (World Health Organisation).

Ireland has been an active participant in the Europe Against Cancer Programme since 1988 when the Minister for Health established a National Committee to co-ordinate programme activities. The Committee comprises representatives of the main statutory and voluntary organisations dealing with the information and education aspects of the programme. The aim of the Europe Against Cancer Programme is to reduce deaths from cancer in Europe by 15 per cent by the year 2000. Under the aegis of the programme the ten point Europe Against Cancer Code was widely distributed by the Health Promotion Unit of my Department. A range of initiatives has been undertaken, with the support of the programme, in relation to lifestyle factors considered to be implicated in the causation of a number of cancers e.g. smoking, alcohol and nutrition. These initiatives include school and community based programmes.

A National Cancer Registry has been established to collect comprehensive epidemiological information on the incidence of cancer in Ireland.

It should also be noted that a cervical screening service is available to all women through their GPs, family planning clinics, maternity hospitals and special clinics organised by the health boards.