3^rd All-Ireland Cancer Statistics Report Released

The 3^rd All-Ireland Cancer Statistics Report, Cancer in Ireland 1994-2004: A Comprehensive Report, was launched at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in Dublin on 24 April 2009. Mary Harney, T.D., Minister of the Department of Health and Children of Ireland, introduced the report during an official ceremony. Speakers at the event included Dr. Joe Harford, director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and chair of the Ireland-Northern Ireland-NCI Cancer Consortium's Strategic Advisory Group (SAG).

From left to right, Dr. David Donnelly, lead author of the 3rd All-Ireland Cancer Statistics Report; Dr. Joe Harford, director of the OIA; Dr. Anna Gavin, director of the NICR; and Dr. Harry Comber, director of the NCRI.

The 3^rd All-Ireland Cancer Statistics Report, which documents cancer incidence, mortality, treatment, and survival on the island of Ireland, was compiled through a joint effort by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) at Queens University Belfast and the National Cancer Registry, Ireland (NCRI) in Cork.

According to the report's findings, over 21,000 people across the island of Ireland are diagnosed annually with some form of cancer. Irish and Northern Irish survival rates for cancer have continued to improve over the past decade, despite an increase in cancer incidence. Specifically, all-Ireland mortality rates for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer have declined.

Some selected highlights from the report can be found on page two of the Consortium's Spring 2009 Newsletter. To view the full report or the Executive Summary, click here.