Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 125: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has studied the incidents of cancer levels recorded on a county by county basis throughout the country; if she has made any policy decision arising from such study with particular reference to the areas wherein the highest instances are recorded;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26163/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) is a statutory body established in 1991. It has been collecting comprehensive cancer information for the whole population of the Republic of Ireland since 1994. This information is used in research into the causes of cancer, in education and information programmes and was used in the planning of the National Cancer Control Strategy to deliver the best cancer care to the whole population.

In 2009 the NCRI published An Atlas of Cancer in Ireland 1994-2003. The Atlas is based on cancers which were diagnosed during 1994-2003 and registered with the National Cancer Registry. It shows geographical and socioeconomic variations in cancer risk across Ireland and concludes that many of the variations observed are likely to relate to social, economic, cultural and environmental differences between subgroups of the population. These differences may include variations in well-known risk factors such as tobacco smoking and diet or in screening participation, for example, among others. They underline the importance of prevention and early detection in cancer control.

In this regard, national population screening programmes for both cervical cancer and breast cancer are now in place and I announced in January this year that planning would commence for the introduction of a national colorectal cancer screening programme in 2012. Last year I introduced a ban on the in-store advertising of tobacco products and a ban on the display of tobacco products. Earlier this month, I announced my intention to seek Government approval to draft a Bill restricting the use of sunbeds. All of these measures, together with the work being done by the National Cancer Control Programme in the reorganisation of cancer services, underline this Government's commitment and my commitment as Minister for Health to cancer prevention, early detection and continuing improvements in cancer survival for people no matter what part of Ireland they live in.