Vol. 533 No. 5
116 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one in ten people will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives and that this figure continues to rise at a rate of 4% per annum; and if he will make a statement on the steps being taken by him to address this issue. [9388/01]
The health promotion unit of my Department works closely with a range of statutory and voluntary groups to ensure that people have the information and the support to make healthy lifestyle choices. The unit supports an extensive range of initiatives organised by the Irish Cancer Society, a number of which have an impact on the levels of knowledge and awareness of the risk factors associated with many cancers, including melanomas.
This support enables the society to organise an information and awareness campaign entitled Sunsmart. This begins in May each year, just before the holiday season gets under way. The campaign provides information packs and leaflets both to those who are travelling abroad and to those who remain in Ireland. These materials provide comprehensive information on the nature, incidence and causes of skin cancers. Methods of identification are discussed and pictures depicting moles etc. are shown. The leaflets also provide guidance on what to do in the case of a suspected skin cancer.
The health boards through the health promotion officers assist the Irish Cancer Society in the distribution of these information packs to pharmacies, health centres etc.
The health promotion unit of my Department has also produced information materials in relation to the dangers of the sun and the precautions to be taken when going abroad on sun holidays.
Since 1997 some £60 million has been allocated from national cancer strategy funding to allow the development of consultant oncology, consultant palliative care, consultant histopathology and consultant haematology services throughout the country. A cervical screening programme has been launched, the national breast screening programme has also been launched, a report on the development of services for symptomatic breast disease is currently being implemented, an expert group is currently examining the further development of radiotherapy services and an expert group on palliative care is due to submit its report shortly.
