Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Cancer Related Deaths.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths from cancer by region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27297/99]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of deaths from various forms of cancer in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27298/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. This information is available from the Central Statistics Office and is provisional information relating to deaths registered for the year 1998.

Health Board Area	Number of Deaths
Eastern	2561
Midland	437
Mid-Western	670
North-Eastern	574
North-Western	513
South-Eastern	803
Southern	1147
Western	788
Total	7493

The number of deaths from cancer during the past ten years by site of the disease is set out in the following table. The information for 1996, 1997 and 1998 is provisional information based on the year of registration.

Year	All Cancers	Trachea,Bronchus &Lung	FemaleBreast	Stomach	Colon	Rectum,RectosigmoidJunction andAnus	Cervix, Uteri	Leukaemia
1989	7,339	1,594	688	436	767	209	68	246
1990	7,115	1,529	603	446	674	195	65	240
1991	7,267	1,472	655	466	669	221	57	216
1992	7,539	1,559	658	437	707	248	69	229
1993	7,589	1,608	652	451	701	227	74	245
1994	7,412	1,550	648	420	681	242	60	194
1995	7,519	1,574	654	410	728	246	72	180
1996	7,306	1,480	632	393	669	210	82	209
1997	7,528	1,391	641	387	726	236	86	216
1998	7,493	1,526	602	351	667	230	76	236

There have been substantial developments in the care and treatment of patients with cancer throughout the country over the last number of years. Considerable improvements have taken place in this area since the launch in November 1996 of the national cancer strategy, and the announcement in March 1997 of the action plan to implement the strategy.

In order to achieve the objectives set out in the cancer strategy, some £26 million has been allocated between 1997 and 1999 to develop a range of cancer services throughout the country. I have allocated further cancer funding of £11.464 million to the health agencies for 2000. This will ensure the continued development of the cancer services in line with the strategy.

The main areas in which improvements have taken place to date are as follows: funding for 22 additional consultant appointments in the areas of medical oncology, haematology, palliative care and histopathology since 1997; screening programmes, including the national breast screening programme, which has commenced, and the forthcoming national cervical screening programme; the national cancer registry published its third national report on the incidence of and mortality from cancer in Ireland. I have provided funding of over £100,000 to enable the registry to develop a data analysis and research programme; a review of counselling services throughout the country, which is a very important element in the treatment of patients with cancer, was funded and carried out by the Eastern Health Board; and 24 cancer liaison nurses were funded and appointed in the Eastern Health Board area to improve and enhance the integration and co-ordination of the treatment of cancer patients.

The National Cancer Forum submitted a report to me outlining the developments under the cancer strategy and highlighting many of the future needs of the cancer services. I am aware that many of the developments mentioned already have resulted in further demands being put on the services available. The particular areas needing further consideration include radiotherapy services, symptomatic breast cancer services, specialist oncology nurse training and education, and palliative care and counselling services. These areas are currently being examined by my Department. The funding of £11.464 million which I have allocated for cancer services in 2000 will be of importance in this regard.

I am confident that cancer services in Ireland are developing in an appropriate, co-ordinated and integrated fashion. I am pleased to report that we are making good progress in achieving the objectives of the strategy. I am committed to ensuring that cancer patients in Ireland, wherever they live, will have a high quality cancer treatment service available to them.