Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2019
806. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of skin cancers being diagnosed here has increased in the past few years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13542/19]
View answerI am aware that the number of skin cancers diagnosed per year increased from 10,205 in 2011 to 11,785 in 2015, the most recent year for which final figures are available. Further increases in incidence are projected in the coming years. Increased incidence reflects the consequences of ultraviolet exposure but also better detection and increased awareness of the symptoms of skin cancer.
Survival rates for skin cancers are encouraging. Five year net survival for non-melanoma skin cancer is almost 100% while five year net survival for melanoma improved from 82.7% (1994-1998) to 88.7% (2010-2014).
My Department has been working closely with the National Cancer Control Programme to develop a National Skin Cancer Prevention Plan which will be launched in May.
