Seanad debates

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

Cancer Awareness: Statements

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Niall Ó BrolcháinNiall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

I welcome the Minister. This is one of the most important debates the House has had, as cancer affects so many families in our society. I welcome visitors to the Chamber on national no smoking day. As an avid non-smoker, I would encourage measures to prevent smoking. In terms of environmental health, it is crucial that we consider as many measures as possible to enhance people's lifestyles and to minimise diseases such as cancer and the many other things caused by smoking.

Cancer is a scourge. There has been a rapid increase in its incidence in Ireland. The number of people who die from cancer is increasing. Indeed, it is projected by the national cancer registry that there will be approximately 30,000 cases of cancer diagnosed in 2010 and that the figure will be 43,000 in 2020. That is an increase of 70% over the next decade. We cannot afford to sit back and allow that to happen. We must examine as many measures as possible to deal with it. Many people have spoken about education, which will be an important part of that process.

I refer to the KiKK study which was produced by the radiological protection agency in Germany. It provides some startling facts. The study examined clusters of cancer incidence within a 5 km radius of nuclear power plants. It found that in children up to four years of age there was a 60% increase in the incidence of tumours within the 5 km radius of nuclear power plants compared to the national average. In the case of childhood leukaemia, there was a 118% increase around such plants. It is not conclusively proven that nuclear power plants are the cause of the cancers. There could be other factors. Unfortunately, there is a great deal we do not know about cancer; there is much we must still discover. However, there appears to be clear evidence that there is a likelihood that environmental factors play a key role in causing cancer.

We must ask why it is the case that in the less technological age of the past far fewer people died of cancer. Indeed, cancer incidence is rapidly increasing; it is now the second main cause of death in this country. It will be the main cause before long. That is the trajectory we are on and we must deal with it.

What must this country do? Having looked at the study from Germany, it was startling to discover the lack of research in this country. It is very difficult to get figures on any aspects of cancer. We need far more statistical research into particular areas and industries around which there may be clusters of cancer. We need information and to examine what is causing cancer in Ireland. Research is crucial. There is a clear link between cigarettes and cancer but it took many years to find it and, indeed, it was not accepted. At one time it was said that cigarettes were good for people. They were considered cool, wonderful and so forth. It is now widely accepted, and there have been many legal cases which demonstrate, that cigarettes cause cancer and are very harmful. However, it took many years for that to be accepted.

We must examine the various different types of radiation. There is clear evidence that radiation has effects. In the case of the mobile telephone industry we must examine what might be the cancer effects. I am not making any assertions about that industry but there is clear evidence, for example, that the non-ionising radiation from mobile telephones heats up people's heads. That might or might not cause the various increases in tumours; we do not know. However, we should adhere to the precautionary principle, look at what is coming down the line and not make the same mistake that was made with cigarettes. It is clear that cigarettes are dangerous, and there appears to be a growing body of evidence that children under the age of 16 years should be careful about the amount of time they spend using mobile telephones. There are many different aspects to cancer research but we must be clear about the environmental aspects of cancer.

I will conclude by referring to a number of different services. Services for treating cancer in Ireland are rapidly improving but I urge that we examine the Finnish model as well. I attended a World Health Organisation conference in Finland a number of years ago. The Finns have a very good health model and have moved far more into prevention. A total of 30% of cancers are preventable.

Finally, the pilot daffodil centre in Galway has worked out very well. Those centres should be established throughout the country. The recent investment of €7.5 million by the Minister for Health and Children in the clinical research facility in University College Hospital in Galway is very welcome. In addition, the centres of excellence and the work of the Government in that regard are very important.

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