National Cancer Control Programme
November 2009
Some Irish cancer statistics
o Survival rates for breast cancer have improved to 77.1% (for women
diagnosed from 2000-2004) compared with around 72.5% (for women
diagnosed from 1994-1999).
o Survival rates for almost all types of cancer improved for people
diagnosed between 1994 and 1999 compared with people diagnosed
between 2000 and 2004.
o There are over 22,000 new cases of invasive cancer each year
(including non-melanoma skin cancer).
o The number of newly diagnosed cancers is increasing by 6–7%
annually, and unless major reversal of trends occurs in the near future
the number is likely to double in the next 20 years.
The National Cancer Control Programme
o The goals of the National Cancer Control Programme are better cancer
prevention, detection and survival through a national service based on
evidence and best practice.
o Under the Programme, headed by Professor Tom Keane, there are
four designated cancer control networks and eight cancer centres
nationally.
o For all cancers, initial diagnosis and surgery will be provided at the
cancer centres by multi-disciplinary teams. Chemotherapy and routine
follow-up will continue to be provided locally as appropriate, as will
palliative care.
o Breast cancer services were the first to be centralised into the eight
centres. The final transfer, from South Infirmary Victoria University
Hospital to Cork University Hospital, will take place in December 2009
after which breast cancer diagnostic and surgical services will be
delivered in the eight designated centres only plus an outreach service
in Letterkenny.
o National guidelines for the diagnosis and management of prostate
cancer have now been completed. Rapid Access Prostate Cancer
Diagnostic clinics opened this year in University Hospital Galway and
St James’s Hospital, Dublin.
o Rapid Access Lung Cancer Diagnostic clinics opened this year in St
Vincent’s, Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals.
Radiation oncology (radiothe