National Cancer Strategy Scorecard

The third National Cancer Strategy is a 10-year plan due to expire in 2026.

Its main aims included:

• improving early detection
• being amongst the leaders in cancer survival in the EU
• reducing incidence and survival inequalities between the most and least deprived people living in Ireland.

Without investment, the Strategy’s objectives cannot be achieved. Budget 2026 is the last chance to fund this current strategy.

The Scorecard looks data against defined targets set out within Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the National Cancer Strategy.

• More than 95% of people who needed access to the designated rapid access lung clinic were seen within the recommended timeframe.
• BreastCheck met its 70% target for people attending screening.

• Patients experience chronic colonoscopy delays.
• Too many women are waiting too long for urgent breast clinic access.
• Surgery delays mean people do not have their cancer treatment when recommended.
• Targets for radiation therapy have been consistently missed.
• Missing data on a range of important metrics.

The National Cancer Strategy identifies 23 KPIs. However, if one KPI related to 2 or more services, each service was reviewed on its own data. As such, we have looked at 28 targets. Of the defined targets under review:

• 14 have not been met.
• 7 have no data available
• 3 have been met.
• 1 is considered unlikely to meet its 2026 target given its current trajectory.
• 3 have a 2026 deadline which cannot yet be assessed.

The Irish Cancer Society is calling for increased investment in Budget 2026 towards cancer staff, buildings and equipment to ensure target waiting times are met. Specifically:

• Fund the National Cancer Strategy
• Plan and resource the next National Cancer Strategy
• Ringfence capital investment for cancer services
• Support staff capacity for cancer services
• Publish data to support transparency and decision-making.