Shay Brennan
Ceist:88. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Health for an overview of the progress made under the current Cancer Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17325/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 5 March 2026
Ceisteanna (88)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy. There has been significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past eight years and my Department has invested heavily in the National Cancer Strategy and associated initiatives in recent years, enabling the further development of our national cancer services, and leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.
Ireland’s approach to cancer control has been guided by National Cancer Strategies since 1996. These ensured that international best practice and evidence-based measures were adopted in our cancer services and they transformed cancer care and patient outcomes.
The current Strategy, which was published in June 2017, contains 52 recommendations. 43 of these have been implemented and the HSE National Cancer Control Programme is continuing to progress implementation of the remaining nine. These will drive further reforms and service improvements.
National Cancer Registry of 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 non-melanoma skin cancers).
It is essential that we continue to build on our investment and progress. As the current National Cancer Strategy ends in 2026 an evaluation on the current National Cancer Strategy will be carried out which will inform the next steps to be taken. Evaluation will be carried out by my Department working closely with key stakeholders such as the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland.
It is also important that we continue to plan for future demands in cancer services. In addition to growth in the absolute numbers of cancer cases, estimated at 3% per year, the complexity of treatment is increasing. We must ensure that we harness the exciting new developments in medical care that can transform outcomes for patients.
These will be key questions to be considered when the evaluation of the current strategy is being conducted and will inform our future strategic planning.