Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has studied reports available to her relating to the number of incidents of the various forms of cancer reported throughout the country; the success rate of treatment; if particular areas, counties or regions have higher reported levels of one or other form of cancer than others; the reason for the variation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21506/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Cancer Registry has routinely collected data on county of residence for all incidences of cancer since 1994. This data has been published in a number of reports, including 'Cancer in Ireland 1994-2000' and two all-Ireland cancer reports, 'All-Ireland Cancer Statistics' for 1994-1996 and 1998-2000. Up-to-date tables describing cancer incidence by site, sex and county of residence are also available to the public on the Registry website www. ncri.ie. In addition to this routine analysis, the Registry has carried out a number of analyses of cancer incidence for single counties in response to specific local issues.

The most recent detailed analysis of the relationship between cancer incidence and county of residence was carried out for the second All-Ireland cancer report (1998-2000) which was published in 2004. While this report showed some relationship between region of residence and cancer incidence, there was few instances where this relationship could be shown at county level. In general, the number of cancer cases diagnosed at county level were too few, and the variation in incidence between counties too small, for any meaningful conclusions to be drawn. The only clear exception to this was for lung cancer, where incidences and mortality was significantly higher in Dublin than elsewhere. This variation in lung cancer incidence between urban and rural setting was also found in Belfast and Derry and is consistent with the pattern of incidence of lung cancer in other countries.

The National Cancer Registry published a report in 2003 entitled 'Patterns of Care and Survival from Cancer in Ireland, 1994-1998', which found many significant differences in treatment patterns for prostate, lung, colorectal and breast cancer between former health board areas. It established that there are clear differences in treatment and survival depending on area of residence. An important additional finding was the lack of consistency between geographical regions in treating the same cancer at the same stage. The Department has funded the National Cancer Registry to undertake a follow-up of this Report, which will look at variations and outcome up to 2001 and is expected to be published in early Autumn.

I have received a new National Cancer Strategy from the National Cancer Forum. The Strategy makes recommendations in relation to organisation, governance, quality assurance and accreditation across the continuum of cancer care from prevention and health promotion through to treatment services, palliative care and research. The Department is currently examining the Strategy in conjunction with the HSE. I will bring proposals to Government shortly.