The national cancer strategy, 2003-10, is being prepared by the national cancer forum under the chairmanship of Professor Paul Redmond of Cork University Hospital in conjunction with my Department. The new strategy will set out the key areas to be targeted for the development of cancer services over the next seven years. This will have regard to existing policies in the areas of symptomatic breast disease and palliative care and the forthcoming recommendations of the expert group on radiotherapy services.