Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together.

Last August, I welcomed the publication by the National Cancer Registry 'Childhood Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer: Cancer Trends Report'. The report describes ongoing significant improvements in 5-year survival and reductions in mortality for childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancers. This reflects advances in early detection, treatment, and care.

In 2014, mortality rates in Ireland for children and young people with cancer were among the lowest observed in Europe. Mortality rates have continued to decrease significantly for both sexes and age-groups. Of the 8,974 children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer between 1994 and 2020, 7,354 (82%) were still alive at the end of 2020. These trends attest to significant progress in timely diagnosis and effective treatment of CAYA cancers in Ireland.

There have been several important recent developments in the treatment of children and young people with cancer. Funding allocated for the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy in 2022 included €1.5 million for psycho-oncology and CAYA services more generally, enabling the recruitment of an additional 15 staff to these services. This includes a broad range of staff including social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners, and play therapists.

For the first time last year, a national multidisciplinary team for adolescent and young adult cancer was established, which has been meeting to discuss patient cases this year. This type of coordinated approach has seen enormous benefits for patient outcomes in other cancer settings. Under the framework for the Care and Support of Adolescent and Young Adults with cancer in Ireland, three AYA cancer hubs have been established, based at St James’s Hospital, University Hospital Galway and Cork University Hospital.

The National Model of Care for Psycho-Oncology Services for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer was launched in May of this year. This model of care focuses on supporting children or young adults, as well as their families with the psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis and provides for patient pathways to accessing appropriate care at all stages of their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

These new initiatives under the National Cancer Strategy mean that we can address the specific needs of children and young adults with cancer and continue to improve the services available to them. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) continues to support targeted cancer awareness initiatives.