Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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998. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which his Department intends working to improve the net survival rate for all invasive cancers, in view of the fact that in the five-year average, Ireland is in the middle or the lower end of the survival rates distribution across different cancer types in the EU-15 countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54532/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Successive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. 

Five-year net survival for all invasive cancers averaged 65% for cancer patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2018. This is a significant improvement compared to twenty years previously, when 42% was the average (for patients diagnosed 1994-1999).

National Cancer Registry Ireland data shows substantial progress being made to control the four major cancers (prostate, breast, lung and colorectal), with mortality rates falling or stabilising for each. These comprise over half of all invasive tumours (not including rarely fatal nonmelanoma skin cancers).

Treatment in our medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgical oncology services also continues to improve, with an estimated 200,000 people in Ireland living with and beyond cancer.

Improvements in survival and outcomes are largely attributable to earlier detection and improvements in treatment. The National Cancer Strategy seeks to build on the successes of previous strategies in the areas of prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment, while also working to maximise the quality of life for patients living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. It is an aim of the Strategy for survival rates in Ireland to be within the top quartile of European countries by the end of the Strategy period (2026).