Peadar Tóibín
Question:853. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of cancers by type diagnosed in emergency departments since 2014, in tabular form. [9929/22]
View answerTuesday, 22 February 2022
Questions (853)
Written answers
In 2018, the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI), in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) published a report entitled “Diagnosing Cancer in an Emergency: Patterns of Emergency Presentation in Ireland 2002-2015”.
This Report showed that the percentage of cancers presenting as emergencies has fallen from 20% (2002-2005) to 14% (2009-2015). Based on updated NCRI analyses, and excluding cases whose mode of presentation was not known, most recently available data shows that emergency presentations accounted for 13.9% of cases diagnosed during 2015-2017. No breakdown of emergency presentation by year is yet available through the NCRI.
The National Cancer Strategy contains recommendations that specifically seek to improve awareness of symptoms. The combined approach of early detection, awareness and education campaigns (with particular focus on those most at risk), and cancer prevention measures will work to reduce the number of cancers presenting as emergencies, as well as ensuring that the public remain informed of lifestyle changes that can reduce their risk of developing cancer.
Question No. 854 answered with Question No. 849.