Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2015
251. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health in view of a recent report on cancer survival rates (details supplied), the measures he will take to improve these rates; to improve the cancer survival rates specifically in breast, cervix, ovarian and rectum cancers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16347/15]
View answerThe study to which the Deputy refers, the Concord 2 global study, looked at survival rates in 67 countries for various cancers in 1995-1999 and compared these with survival levels in 2005-2009. The study acknowledged that Ireland's survival rates have improved consistently in recent years. However, the period under review largely pre-dates the National Cancer Strategy 2006-2015, the establishment of the National Cancer Control Programme in 2007 and full national coverage by the BreastCheck Screening Programme which commenced in 2007 and CervicalCheck screening programmes which started in 2008. It is expected that future studies will confirm that survival rates have improved further as a result of these initiatives. The latest available data from the National Cancer Registry indicates that net survival at five years from diagnosis has increased from 45% for Irish patients diagnosed during 1994-1999 to 59% for patients diagnosed during 2006-2011.
In recent years my Department and the National Cancer Control Programme in the HSE have focused on improving the quality of cancer services through reorganisation and expansion. We have moved from a fragmented system of care to one that consolidates cancer treatment in larger centres. Symptomatic Breast Disease Clinics and Rapid Access Clinics for Lung and Prostate Cancer have been set up in eight designated centres, with a satellite breast unit in Letterkenny. The HSE has developed early detection and cancer prevention programmes, such as the national hereditary cancer programme for patients and families whose cancer may have a hereditary component. In addition the HSE provides free screening for Breast, Cervical and Bowel cancer, as well as a HPV vaccination programme which provides protection against cervical cancer.
I am about to establish a Steering Group to provide guidance and advice in the development of the next National Cancer Strategy which will be implemented from 2016. The Strategy will set out the strategic direction for our cancer services for the next decade and I am sure that it will have a further positive impact on the number of people surviving cancer in Ireland.
