Dublin: The Irish Cancer Society has issued a stark warning that cancer diagnoses in Ireland are expected to double by 2045 unless urgent government intervention is taken. Currently, 44,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year—equating to one diagnosis every three minutes—a figure the society describes as alarming and unsustainable without decisive policy action.
Urgent Call for Government Investment
In its pre-budget submission, the Irish Cancer Society is urging the government to significantly increase funding for cancer care and prevention. Specifically, the organisation is calling for:
- €20 million in additional funding for the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
- €30 million to expand diagnostic and treatment facilities, ensure timely access to cancer drugs, and address chronic delays in the health system.
CEO Averil Power cited data from the OECD/European Commission Country Cancer Profile for Ireland, which shows that Ireland has among the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the EU. “People in Ireland are more likely to develop and die from cancer than in most other European countries,” she said.
Ireland’s Cancer Crisis: Key Statistics
- Ireland has the second-highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in the EU.
- It also ranks third in Western Europe for cancer mortality.
- Over 220,000 people in Ireland are living with a cancer diagnosis.
- 2,800 patients are currently waiting more than four weeks for urgent colonoscopies.
- Over 190,000 people have been waiting at least three months for MRI, CT, and ultrasound scans.
The society stressed that delays in diagnosis and treatment are putting lives at risk, citing the fact that:
- 40% of lung cancer patients
- and 30% of breast cancer patients do not receive surgery within the clinically recommended timeframes.
Prevention and Public Awareness
In addition to healthcare investment, the Irish Cancer Society is calling for:
Greater funding for anti-smoking campaigns and nicotine cessation programmes
Installation of sunscreen dispensers in public areas
Construction of shade structures in schools and playgrounds to reduce the risk of skin cancer
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