Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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1529. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the 16% increase in prostate cancer among men during the past five years; the measures he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38345/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The increase in prostate cancer among men in recent years arises from the ageing population, with increased risk of prostate cancer with age, and the increased use of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing resulting in more diagnosis of early stage cancer, only some of which require immediate treatment.

The National Cancer Control Programme has established rapid access prostate cancer clinics in the eight designated cancer centres to ensure that men who have urological symptoms and/or abnormal PSA test results are seen in a timely way by urologists and that appropriate diagnostic tests are carried out and multi-disciplinary treatment is planned as necessary.

Last year 2,464 new patients were seen at the rapid access prostate cancer clinics and 1,031 (42%) of these were diagnosed with cancer.