Written Answers. - Incidence of Cancer.
Austin Deasy
Question:
17
Mr. Deasy
asked the
Minister for Health
the veracity of the widely held view that the incidence of cancer is increasing; if so, whether has Department has identified the causes of such an increase, other than smoking; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[20475/96]
Limerick East): There has been a general increase in death rates from cancer in Ireland over the past 25 years. After taking account of age factors, the death rate per 100,000 from cancer in Ireland has risen from 201.62 in 1970 to 221.71 in 1992, the =397 latest year for which full data of this kind is available.
Ireland has a higher mortality rate from cancer than the average for EU countries. However, the rate of premature mortality — deaths among those aged under 65 — from the disease has been falling towards the EU average in recent years.
The national cancer registry now collects data on the incidence — i.e., the number of new cases per year — of cancer in respect of 1994 onwards. The registry's first report is expected to be published in the near future. However, incidence data for a single year should be interpreted with caution. A better indication of the incidence of cancer will be available when a number of years' data becomes available.
The causes of cancer often involve a combination of factors including genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle behaviours. It is estimated that tobacco, alcohol and diet, the three major lifestyle risk factors, contribute to two thirds of all cancers in Europe. Other factors such as exposure to cancer-causing substances, ultraviolet rays and radiation also carry a risk of cancer.
It is important that the public be made aware of the scope of preventing many cancers by making appropriate lifestyle changes. The health promotion unit already has a number of health promotion programmes which are well focused and can show a considerable dividend in adding quality to life and reducing premature mortality. To build upon the work already in progress new initiatives are coming on stream all the time — the most recent being the National Alcohol Policy which I launched in September.
Yesterday, I launched a series of initiatives in relation to cancer. These initiatives include the publication of a national cancer strategy, national programmes for breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening, and publications of guidelines drawn up by experts on the safe administration of chemotherapy. I also published the report of the working party on cervical screening.
The national cancer strategy is aimed at reorganising cancer services to ensure they meet the needs of patients in the best possible manner. The strategy's principal objectives are: to take all measures possible to reduce the rates of illness and death from cancer, in line with the targets established inShaping a Healthier Future and to ensure that those who develop cancer receive the most effective care and treatment, and that their quality of life is enhanced to the greatest extent possible.
In addition to the national cancer strategy, I was pleased to announce further progress in the plans for a targeted national programme of breast screening for women aged 50 to 64, and a national programme of cervical screening for women aged between 25 and 60 years. The expert chemotherapy guidelines will help ensure safe and appropriate chemotherapy treatments for patients with cancer.
I am confident that these initiatives will greatly improve the level and quality of cancer services available in this country and will, in the coming years, reduce the death rate from cancer in this country.
