Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Health if survival rates for ovarian cancer are less here than in other EU and OECD countries; if so, the action being taken to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23743/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The latest available data which compares ovarian cancer survival in Ireland to other countries around the world is the CONCORD-2 study, which was published in 2014. For the period studied, 1995-2009, patients with ovarian cancer in Ireland had an average five year survival rate of 30%, the lowest of all the EU and OECD countries included in the study. However, survival rates for ovarian cancer in Ireland have since improved, and the five year survival rate is now 35% for patients diagnosed between 2009 and 2013.

The HSE National Cancer Control Programme has developed GP guidelines on ovarian cancer which highlight the symptoms and appropriate investigations for women with suspected ovarian cancer. These guidelines have been distributed to GPs nationally. They recommend a combination of CA125 testing and ultrasound testing on patients with suspicious clinical features and referral for specialist opinion depending on the patient's clinical examination and the results of investigations.

The development of a new National Cancer Strategy is nearing finalisation and I intend to bring the Strategy to Government shortly. Significant improvements have been made in cancer care in recent years under the previous cancer strategy. Outcomes have improved and overall five year cancer survival is now at 61%. The new National Cancer Strategy will aim to build on this success and will provide the overall strategic direction for cancer control for the next decade.