Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
806 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the findings of the second report of the All Ireland Cancer Statistics 1998-2000; the action the Department will take to reduce the high incidences of lung cancer in the north east as reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21710/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe all Ireland cancer statistics second report examines the incidence of cancer among county and council districts throughout Ireland during the period 1998 to 2000. The report shows variations in cancer incidence and mortality for different regions of the country.
The variation in the incidences of lung cancer is strongly influenced by smoking which tends to be most prevalent in urban and particularly deprived urban areas. While lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland, there has been a significant decline in rates among men. However, the incidence rates among women are increasing. Smoking is a causative factor in the majority of lung cancer deaths and my Department continues to tackle this problem through legislative, environmental and health promotion measures. The prohibition of smoking in all places of work, which I introduced earlier this year, will help protect the health and safety of workers and the public from the toxic affect of tobacco smoke and is expected to have a significant impact on the incidences of lung cancer in the coming years.
The information in the report is based on 1998 to 2000 data. Significant developments in cancer services have taken place in recent years. The overall additional cumulative funding allocated to cancer services in this country since 1997 is in excess of €550 million including an additional €15 million revenue which I allocated this year. An additional 104 consultant posts in key areas of cancer treatment and 245 clinical nurse specialists across all health board areas have been funded. There has also been approximately €95 million in capital funding allocated specifically for the development of cancer related initiatives, including an investment of €60 million in radiation oncology.
As regards investment in services located in the North Eastern Health Board, additional cumulative funding of approximately €28 million has been made available since 1997 for the development of treatment and care services for patients suffering from cancer. This funding has enabled the appointment of an additional ten consultants, together with support staff in key areas such as medical oncology, haematology, breast surgery and palliative care. The funding has also enabled the appointment of an additional 20 cancer care nurse specialists across the region.
The new national cancer strategy will target investment for cancer services over the next number of years and will make recommendations in relation to the development and organisation of services nationally. The strategy will also provide a mechanism for the development, implementation, monitoring and updating of clinical guidelines for the treatment of cancer.
