Cancer Advocacy

Keeping cancer on the Government's agenda and lobbying on behalf of cancer patients and their loved ones
Cover of the prebudget submission 2025
Averil Power Health Committee
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Real Cost of Cancer case studies Sinead and Michael

Advocacy campaigns

Our advocacy campaigns push for better cancer care, access to treatment, and policy reforms across Ireland. By amplifying patient voices, we work to break down barriers and create a fairer healthcare system for everyone affected by cancer.

Averil Power, holding the Irish Cancer Society's pre-budget submission 2026

Pre-budget Submission 2026

We are urging the Government to address the cost related to a cancer diagnosis in Budget 2026. Recommendations include abolition of hospital parking fees for cancer patients, automatic entitlement to medical cards, and a reduction of the drugs payment scheme threshold to €40 per month or less.
Right to be forgotten

Right to be forgotten after cancer

We're campaigning for reform to ensure people affected by cancer have fair access to financial products like life insurance, and mortgage and income protection insurance.
elderly man cold with tea

Energy hardship at end-of-life

People experience a great financial burden after a cancer diagnosis: household income tends to decrease, while day-to-day costs remain and new costs emerge. These costs can be very difficult for patients receiving palliative home care and their carers to bear, particularly household bills.
Woman in blue holding yellow placard reading 'cut the costs for cancer patients'

The real Cost of Childhood and Adolescent Cancer

Each year, approximately 200 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. Families and adult survivors can face many challenges as a result, not least financial.

The work of our Volunteers

Our advocacy volunteers engage with elected representatives and policy makers amongst others to influence the decisions being made in favour of cancer patients.

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Become an advocacy volunteer

As an Advocacy Volunteer you will be part of a nationwide team. Together with the Irish Cancer Society’s advocacy team you will work on selected campaigns.
Volunteer

See other volunteer roles

We have lots of opportunities for volunteers across our services.

Latest news

New Report Highlights Need for Action on Cancer Inequalities

A new report from the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) and the Irish Cancer Society highlights the state of cancer care in the country and the specific areas that require urgent attention from policymakers. 

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Man smiling to camera wearing suit and purple tie

Marginalised groups struggle to access Breast Screening

Three in ten people invited for BreastCheck not taking part in life-saving screening.

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