Irish Cancer Society says biggest issue for new cancer strategy is to close cancer gap

The Irish Cancer Society has welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Leo Varadkar of the setting up of a National Cancer Strategy Steering Group to advise the Department of Health on the development of a new Cancer Strategy for 2016-2025. “We very much welcome the Minister’s commitment to maintaining the high standard of cancer care which has been the main achievement of the current National Cancer Strategy. We also welcome the emphasis on prevention of cancer, as well as care for cancer survivors as areas to be included in the new Strategy”, said Donal Buggy, Head of Services at the Irish Cancer Society. “However we believe that it is vital that this Strategy recognises the very serious issue of the cancer gap in Ireland, which is, the difference in cancer death rates between affluent and non-affluent areas.  According to data compiled by the National University of Maynooth, the gap is as wide as three times, from 381 cancer deaths per 100,000 in one Dublin community, compared to 128 per 100,000 in its nearby, more affluent neighbourhood”. “While cancer affects all parts of Irish society, some people are more at risk than others. Unfortunately those who live in our more deprived areas have a much higher risk of getting and dying of cancer. This inequality means that cancer death rates are higher than they need to be and the challenge for the new Strategy is to address this in a real and tangible way. As a result we want this Strategy Working Group to ensure that health inequalities and cancer informs its policy recommendations”. Mr. Buggy said the Society wants the Strategy Working Group to recognise that these communities need to be supported if their high cancer rates are to be tackled. Mr Buggy, who will represent the Society on the Working Group, says he will be bringing new ideas to the table on how to tackle high cancer rates in poor communities. “We very much welcome the emphasis on cancer prevention as one of the key issues for the new Strategy, but it must recognise that poor communities will need a different approach which recognises the greater challenges they face”.