Neale Richmond
Ceist:126. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the approach of Ireland to diagnosing and treating lung cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41559/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 10 December 2020
Ceisteanna (126)
Freagraí scríofa
Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for patients with suspected lung cancer symptoms are operating in the eight designated cancer centres. These Rapid Access Lung Clinics provide multidisciplinary diagnostic services and care for lung referrals.
A Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is in place to measure access targets to these clinics. The KPI is that 95% of patients will be seen within 10 working days. In 2019 86.7% of patients were seen within the target timeframe.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality among both males and females in Ireland. The National Cancer Registry advises that data from 2015-2017 shows that mortality rates for lung cancer were higher in males (40.3/100,000) compared to females (28.4/100,000).
While cancer incidence and mortality rates are increasing in females and decreasing in males, absolute numbers of lung cancer cases in both sexes are projected to increase significantly by 2035, primarily due to our increasing and ageing population.
Work to increase awareness and early detection of lung cancer is being progressed in line with the National Cancer Strategy including plans for a rolling programme of targeted multi-media based public awareness and education campaign, aimed at the early detection of specific cancers and with particular focus on at-risk populations.
Reducing lung cancer incidence and mortality remains a priority under the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme is working to increase awareness and early detection of lung cancer, and to increase survival rates. There have been many improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes over the last number of years, driven by initiatives under successive cancer strategies.