David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on reports contained in the National Cancer Registry regarding cancer incidents in the Cork Harbour area between 1994 and 2005, the action she has taken and will take as a result of this report; if a baseline health study for the Cork Harbour region will be put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27796/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Cancer Registry has informed my Department that it did not publish a report regarding cancer incidents in the Cork Harbour area between 1994 and 2005. The Registry responded to a query from a journalist seeking cancer statistics for specified electoral divisions in the Cork Harbour area. The Registry, while noting that the incidence in the area was higher than the national average, cautioned that a variety of risk factors might be involved and that there was a potential association with socio-economic status. This caution was not initially reported in the media.

The registry has advised that the response also included the following information "It is important to bear in mind that in the Cork Harbour area, a very wide range of cancer types were diagnosed. Risk factors for cancer vary greatly depending on the type of cancer and most variation in incidence between areas is known to be due to personal characteristics and not the external environment. Cancer incidence is known to be linked to social and economic status". A deprivation index was also given which showed that for example, while Cobh Urban area has a comparatively high cancer incidence it also has a high deprivation score (9 out of 10). This index was developed by a group in Trinity College Dublin (SAHRU) and is compiled from various factors, mostly obtained from census data. In relation to the baseline study my colleague, Mr John Gormley, Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government has indicated that consideration should be given to such a study.