Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cancer Incidence.

Seán Power

Question:

160 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to recent studies in the United States of America which indicate that the incidence of cancer is on the decline; the similar studies, if any, undertaken in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13568/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

National statistics on the incidence of cancer are collected by the National Cancer Registry which was established in 1991. Reports for 1994 and 1995 show that the numbers of new cases of cancer diagnosed were 19,316 and 19,833 respectively. A longer time period will be required before any definitive statements can be made regarding national trends in cancer incidence using cancer registry data.

Mortality data shows that while actual numbers of deaths from cancer appear to be increasing slightly, this is more to do with changes in the age structure of the population rather than an actual increase in cancer deaths. The calculation of age-standardised death rates for cancer show a gradual decrease over recent years. The following table shows this data for the years 1988 to 1997.

The studies in the United States to which the Deputy is presumably referring are contained in a recent publication of the journal of the National Cancer Institute. The figures show a decline in the incidence rates for six out of the ten leading cancer incidence sites in males, and a similar decrease for females, except for lung cancer. This trend reversed a pattern of increasing incidence rates in the United States from 1973 to 1990.

Deaths from cancer: number of deaths and age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population for all ages

Number of Deaths	Year	TotalNumber	Age-Standardised Rate	5-YearPeriod	Rate for 100,000population
1988	7,154	–	–
1989	7,339	–	–
1990	7,115	–	–
1991	7,262	–	–
1992	7,539	1988-1992	221.23
Number of Deaths	Year	TotalNumber	Age-Standardised Rate	5-YearPeriod	Rate for 100,000population
1993	7,589	1989-1993	220.83
1994	7,412	1990-1994	218.98
1995	7,519	1991-1995	218.61
1996	7,306	1992-1996	215.97
1997	7,528	1993-1997	213.33

NotesAge-standardised rates have been standardised to the World Health Organisation's European standard population. Rates are based on a 5-year moving average.

Data for 1996 and 1997 are provisional.

Source:Central Statistics Office and Public Health Information System, Department of Health and Children.