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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 1990

Vol. 394 No. 8

Written Answers. - Deaths from Cancer.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

379 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of recorded deaths from cancer in each of the past ten years; if these records indicate a prevalence of the disease in particular areas or regions in the country; if the figures show an increase/decrease in any of the various forms of cancer; if there has been a decrease in smoking and a corresponding decrease in lung cancer; if any particular occupations result in greater susceptibility to the disease; if any community care area in the country shows a higher than average occurrence of the disease in the ten year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The most recent year for which the total number of cancer deaths is available is 1988. The number of deaths for each year from 1978 to 1988 inclusive, are set out in the table below:

Deaths from Cancer 1978-1988

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

6,218

6,161

6,287

6,220

6,332

6,471

6,666

6,689

6,890

6,919

7,126

Data for 1987 and 1988 is provisional and based on year of registration.
Source: Reports on Vital Statistics, Central Statistics Office.
There is no evidence to suggest an increased mortality from cancer in any particular geographical region of the country. It is, however, known that an increased risk of cancer is associated with life in urban environments. This association is experienced in all countries, including Ireland, where accurate mortality statistics are collected.
The percentage of smokers in the population has declined considerably during the last ten years. For adult men the rate has dropped from 40 per cent to 32 per cent, while for adult women the reduction has been less marked falling from 31 per cent to 27 per cent. There is, however, a long-term lag between reductions in smoking and consequent falls in lung cancer mortality. Since women started smoking heavily about 2030 years later than men, lung cancer deaths in women are continuing to rise whereas for men they have begun to level off. It is to be expected that the recent changes in smoking habits will result in lower rates of mortality from cancer of the lung in coming decades.
Mortality from cancers of the lung, bronchus and trachea have increased greatly in all western countries during the last four or five decades and lung cancer is now the most common form of fatal malignancy. In Ireland, lung cancer accounts for over 20 per cent of all cancer deaths per year. For females, breast cancer accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all cancer deaths and is the most frequent cause of death from cancer in women. Mortality rates from breast cancer have been relatively stable in recent years. Stomach cancer, formerly one of the most common causes of death from cancer, has fallen dramatically in recent decades and now accounts for around 500 deaths annually compared with over 1,000 per year 30 years ago. The reasons for this decline are not clearly understood but seem likely to be related to changes in diet. For detailed information on mortality from all forms of cancer may I refer the Deputy to the Annual Reports on Vital Statistics produced by the Central Statistics Office.
Risks from specific forms of cancer can be associated with certain occupations where carcinogenic materials are used. The National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) was recently established to provide expertise in this and other areas related to occupational safety and to work towards ensuring safe working conditions.
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