The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) publishes data on cancer incidence, treatment and survival in Ireland. This data can be accessed on the NCRI website (http://www.ncri.ie/client/choose-stats). Information on this site includes incidence of all invasive cancers in Ireland by county, 1994 - 2011. While survival figures are not available county-level, the survival data published by the NCRI shows the trend of ongoing improvements in overall cancer survival and in respect of individual cancer types. Regional variations in survival are not statistically significant. Definitive data on the consequences from Chernobyl are not available.
Long-term survival from cancer has greatly increased in the past decade. Survival at five years from diagnosis has gone from 42% in 1994-1999 to 60% in 2005-2009 in men and from 52% to 62% over the same period in women. Breast cancer five year survival is estimated at 84.9% for people diagnosed between 2005-2009, up from 75.1% for people diagnosed between 1994-1999.
The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 30% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors. Tobacco use is considered to be the single most important risk factor for cancer.
My Department and the HSE are promoting healthier lifestyles to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including cancer. Policies include the achievement of aTobacco Free Ireland by 2025.
In line with A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland (2006), the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) was established to reorganise cancer services and to achieve better outcomes for patients. My Department and the NCCP work to reduce the incidence of cancer and cancer deaths, through initiatives in areas such as prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Targeted programmes, such as cancer screening and the HPV vaccine, also aim to reduce the risk of cancer.