Written Answers. - Fatal Diseases Statistics.
Ivor Callely
Question:
119
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Health
the three most common diseases which men and women are likely to die from in Ireland; the known cause of disease, the preventive steps that can be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
When deaths classified by broad principal causes are considererd the three commonest diseases from which people die are diseases of the circulatory system (including ischaemic heart disease), cancer and diseases of the respiratory system. These accounted respectively for 45 per cent, 24 per cent and 13 per cent of all deaths in 1992.
Lifestyle factors play a role in the causation of heart disease, of some cancers and of some diseases of the respiratory system. Smoking, hypertension and obesity are major risk factors for heart disease (family history also plays a role in some cases). There were 7,687 deaths from ischaemic heart disease in Ireland in 1992. While the number of deaths from ischaemic heart disease per 100,000 of the population aged 30-69 years decreased by 22 per cent among women and 16 per cent among men between 1980 and 1988, Ireland still remains in an unacceptably high position internationally in terms of such deaths, being fifth highest among developed countries. The Health Promotion Unit of my Department has in place a range of information-education initiatives in relation to the lifestyle factors implicated in the causation of heart disease. These include initiatives on smoking, diet and exercise carried out in a variety of settings — in schools, in workplaces, in the community and through the media. The Health Promotion Unit is also supporting the Happy Heart initiative of the Irish Heart Foundation. Parallel to these intervention programmes we are also funding a major research project to monitor and analyse existing data on cardiovascular disease and in particular to analyse data on the intervention strategies most likely to be successful in preventing it.
Lifestyle factors also play a role in the causation of some cancers. Smoking for example is a major causative factor in about 90 per cent of the 1,500 deaths which occur each year in Ireland from lung cancer. Alcohol is implicated in the causation of some cancers of the head and neck. Research is ongoing at international level on the role of diet in relation to a number of types of cancer. Many skin cancers can be prevented by reducing exposure to UV radiation. Other cancers can be prevented through reducing exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace — an area which falls within the remit of the Health and Safety Authority.
The Deputy will note that some of the lifestyle factors implicated in the causation of some cancers are the same as those implicated in the causation of heart disease. Many of the interventions to which I have already referred receive support from the Europe Against Cancer Programme which aims to make a significant reduction in deaths from cancer by the year 2,000. Ireland has been a participant in this programme since the late 1980s and a National Co-Ordinating Committee was established in 1988, to oversee the programme in Ireland. A Europe Against Cancer Code which outlines ten steps which can be taken to reduce the incidence of, or the mortality from cancer, has been widely disseminated under the programme.
In addition to changes in lifestyle habits, well organised screening programmes can also play a role in reducing mortality and morbidity from some cancers by detecting them at an early stage.
Breast cancer is the commonest cause of cancer deaths among women and can be detected early by breast self examination, clinical examination and mammography. Diagnostic mammography services are available to women at a number of hospitals throughout the country. It was agreed in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress that further developments in mammography would await the outcome of the Eccles Breast Screening Programme which is one of a network of seven pilot schemes on breast cancer screening in the European Community. The Eccles Breast Screening Programme is due to report towards the end of 1994. Decisions on the national policy to be followed in this matter will be influenced by the results of the pilot study.
Respiratory disease of various types is the third commonest cause of death in Ireland. The causes of respiratory conditions are quite diverse. Over 80 per cent of the 1,780 deaths from pneumonia in 1992 were to people aged 75 years and over. It is estimated that about 75 per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema are caused by smoking. Environmental pollution, especially in urban areas, is also a factor in respiratory disease, particularly among the elderly, and measures have been taken by the Minister of the Environment in recent years to address this issue.
