Austin Deasy
Ceist:58 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if the primary causes of cancer have been identified; and the trend in the occurrence of this disease over the past 40 years. [14570/00]
Written Answers. - Cancer Incidence.
Cancer specialists and researchers believe that a combination of factors play an important role in the development of cancer. Genetics, viral infections, environmental factors as well as one's lifestyle behaviours, all play key roles in the development of cancerous growths. It is estimated that tobacco, alcohol and diet, the three major lifestyle risk factors, contribute to two thirds of all cancers in Europe. Other factors such as exposure to cancer causing substances, untraviolet rays and radiation also carry a risk of cancer.
Data on the incidence of cancer for all of Ireland is available from the National Cancer Registry for the years 1994 to 1997. The average annual rate of increase is as follows:
|
Males |
Annual % increase |
|
All cancers |
3.3% |
|
All cancers excluding skin cancer |
0.3% |
|
Females |
|
|
All cancers |
2.7% |
|
All cancers excluding skin cancer |
0.3% |
These figures have been adjusted for changes in the population from 1994 to 1997. As all skin cancers may not have been picked up in the early years of the registry, the figures for all cancers, excluding skin cancer, are a more reliable indication of the rate of increase, which is about 0.3% per year. This increase is too small to be distinguished statistically from a zero rate of change.
There has been considerable development in the care and treatment of patients with cancer in recent years. Since the launch of the national cancer strategy in November 1996 and the announcement of the action plan for the implementation of the strategy in March 1997 considerable improvements have taken place in this area. The two underlying principles of the national cancer strategy are: to take all measures possible to reduce rates of illness and death from cancer, in line with the targets established in the health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future, and to ensure that those who develop cancer receive the most effective care and treatment and that their quality of life is enhanced to the greatest extent possible. Underlying these objectives is the need for a high quality, patient focused service. One of the specific objectives of the strategy is to ensure all patients have access to an equitable, effective service with a uniformly high quality of care, wherever they live.
Since the strategy was launched, regional directors of cancer services were appointed in each health board area, with two co-regional directors of cancer services appointed in the North Eastern Health Board area. The regional directors were asked to prepare plans for the development of cancer services in their areas and these plans were then submitted to my Department. The National Cancer Forum and Professor James Fennelly, special adviser on cancer services to the Department, advised on appropriate developments in each area. On a national basis, some £41 million of dedicated funding has been allocated since 1997 for the development of cancer services.
My Department is continuing to work with the National Cancer Forum and the regional directors of cancer services in identifying priorities for the further development of cancer services in all regions, building on the major progress made to date.