Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
785. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if a new approach to lung cancer is required given that Ireland has the second highest rate of lung cancer mortality in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42092/20]
View answer786. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his Department has carried out research into the reason lung cancer mortality rates are dramatically different for men and women in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42093/20]
View answer787. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if a female-centred awareness campaign for lung cancer is required given that female mortality rates for lung cancer are dramatically higher than those for men; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42094/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 785 to 787, inclusive, together.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality among both males and females in Ireland. The National Cancer Registry advises that data from 2015-2017 shows that mortality rates for lung cancer were higher in males (40.3/100,000) compared to females (28.4/100,000).
While cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in females and decreasing in males, absolute numbers of lung cancer cases in both sexes are projected to increase significantly by 2035 due to factors including demographic changes in the population, with our increasing and ageing population. Indeed, increasing lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in females have been observed internationally, with recent academic papers highlighting this as a priority area for future research.
Work to increase awareness and early detection of lung cancer is being progressed in line with the National Cancer Strategy. Lung cancer has been chosen as the first cancer on which to focus in a rolling programme of targeted multi-media based public awareness and education campaigns, aimed at the early detection of specific cancers and with particular focus on at-risk populations. The Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign was scheduled for roll-out in April 2020 but was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
Reducing lung cancer incidence and mortality remains a priority under the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is working to increase awareness and early detection of lung cancer, and to increase survival rates. There have been many improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes over the last number of years, driven by initiatives under successive cancer strategies. It is hoped that the targeted lung cancer awareness campaigns referenced above will result in more cancer's being detected earlier, leading to better outcomes for patients.
