• The 2nd most common cause of invasive cancer deaths in women (after lung cancer which is 1st) accounting for 748 deaths per year (2018-2020)
• 1 in 11 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer before 75
• Median age at diagnosis is 60 years
• Most common cancer in women in Ireland excl. NMSC
• Accounts for almost a third (30%) of all invasive cancers diagnosed in women excl. NMSC
• 3,363 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed per year (2018-2020)

Reduce your risk of melanoma skin cancer 

Holidaying at home or abroad? Enjoy the Sun safely. Be SunSmart: 

Occasional, intense sun exposure and sunburn increases melanoma risk. Make sun protection part of your daily routine, particularly when the UV index is 3 or above. Even when it is cloudy! 

Stay safe by limiting time in the midday sun when UV is strongest, typically between the hours of 11am-3pm. 

Rising incidence of melanoma:

• 377 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 2021
• 1,263 people were diagnosed with melanoma in 1994 
   

Know your skin type! The effects of sunlight are not the same for everyone 

A person’s natural skin colour influences their sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UV) in sunlight and skin cancer* risk, and can be broadly classified on a scale – the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale, which ranges from 1 (high risk) to 6 (low risk).

It considers skin colour (lightest to darkest), and how the skin reacts to sunlight (whether it burns easily, or tans). Most people living in Ireland have pale/light skin – Fitzpatrick skin type 1 or 2. People with these skin types burn easily and tan poorly so are particularly vulnerable to UV damage and, as a result, are at a higher risk of skin cancer.

Remember the five ‘Ss’ of sun safety:

1. Seek shade to avoid direct sunlight e.g. under cover of a sun umbrella or trees. Use a sunshade on buggies / prams.
2. Slip on clothing: Cover skin as much as possible e.g. wear long sleeves, collared t-shirts, clothes made from closewoven material that does not allow sunlight through.
3. Slap on a hat with a wide (7cm+) brim and a UPF† rating of 50: Protect your face, ears and neck.
4. Slide on sunglasses with UV protection: Guard your eyes from harm.
5. Slop on broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30+ for adults and 50+ for children, with high UVA protection, and water resistant. Reapply regularly. 
    

Protect your family

Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun. Keep babies and children out of direct sunlight. 

Remember

• Do not deliberately suntan.
• Avoid sunbathing/sunburning.
• Never ever use a sunbed! There is no safe limit for exposure to UV from sunbeds.‡ 
   

Reduce your risk: protect and inspect your skin

You can reduce your risk of melanoma by avoiding overexposure to UV from sunlight or artificial sources e.g. sunbeds. If you are concerned about a change or growth on your skin, you should always see your doctor. 

More information at: irishskin.ie/sunsmart, hse.ie/sunsmart and ncri.ie 

 *Skin cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of skin cells. Of the different types of skin cancer, melanoma is not the most common but raises the greatest concern as if not detected early, it can spread to other parts of the body where it becomes difficult to treat and can be fatal. Early identification and removal of a melanoma gives the best opportunity for cure. 

† Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates how much of the Sun’s UV rays (both UVA and UVB) the clothing allows to reach the skin; a higher rating indicates better protection e.g. UPF 50 blocks ~ 98% of the Sun’s UVB rays, so significantly reducing UV exposure for the skin covered by that fabric. 

‡ Source: SCHEER (Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks), Opinion on Biological effects of ultraviolet radiation relevant to health with particular reference to sunbeds for cosmetic purposes, ©️ European Union 2017.

Published by the Irish Skin Foundation in association with the NCRI and the NCCP. Date of preparation: April 2024. First published April 2017; updated 2019 and 2024. © Irish Skin Foundation 2017-24. All rights reserved. Registered Charity Number: 20078706

• HPV (human papilloma virus) is a group of viruses known to infect the genital area, as well as the mouth and the throat which can develop into cancer.
• There are 641 cases of new human papilloma virus (HPV)- associated cancers and 196 cancer deaths per year in Ireland, the most common being Cervical Cancer.
• Incidence rate for cervical cancer has been decreasing since 2010, following the introduction of a population-based screening programme in 2008.
• HPV associated cancers account for 2.7% of all invasive cancers diagnosed in Ireland excl. NMSC.
• Incidence rates and survival rates for most other HPV- associated cancers, are increasing.
• HPV vaccination is expected to reduce the incidence of HPV-associated cancers in the longterm.

The National Cancer Registry’s Strategic Plan has five key objectives. These objectives were developed following extensive stakeholder engagement. This strategy will play a pivotal role in defining the future direction of the NCRI.

1. Capture a comprehensive picture of the patient cancer journey.
2. Be the independent, export and trusted source of cancer data and trends.
3. Enhance research capabilities and develop vibrant and collaborative research networks in Ireland and internationally.
4. Be at the forefront of informing health information regulation and in the deployment of Digital Health Initiatives.
5. Enhance organisational capabilities through investment and strengthened governance.

• During 2019-2021 on average, there were 82 deaths annually due to cervical cancer in Ireland
• Five-year net survival has increased from 57% (1994-1998) to 65% (2014-2018)
• The 13th most common cause of invasive cancer deaths in women in Ireland
• 9th most common invasive cancer in women in Ireland excl. NMSC
• Accounts for 2.2% of all invasive cancers diagnosed in women excl. NMSC
• During 2019-2021, on average, there were 250 cases registered annually in Ireland

Adolescent & young adult cancer in Ireland (AYA) 

• 178 AYAs in Ireland diagnosed with cancer every year
• Cancer incidence among Irish AYAs is very similar in males & females
• Most common AYA cancers in Ireland are epithelial tumours & melanomas, brain & CNS, and lymphomas
• 90% of AYAs are alive 5 years after their diagnosis
• 21 AYAs die of cancer every year
• There has been a notable fall in the rate of melanoma observed in 16-24 year old females
   

Incidence data relates to 2011-2020
Mortality data relates to 2010-2019

• 191 children in Ireland diagnosed with cancer every yeaer
• Cancer incidence is slightly higher in males than females
• Most common childhood cancers in Ireland are leukaemias, brain & CNS, lymphomas
• 87% of children are alive 5 years after their diagnosis
• 21 children in Ireland die of cancer each year
• Mortality rates in 0-15 year olds have decreased significantly

Key findings

1. Preliminary data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic indicates that the number of cancer cases diagnosed in 2021 was down 1,665 cases 1 or 6% lower than projected.
2. This is a smaller shortfall in diagnosis than the 2 10% observed in 2020.
3. Colorectal, female breast, and cervical cancer case numbers, which were notably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, returned to 3 expected case numbers in 2021.
4. Liver, pancreatic and kidney cancers appear to have been most significantly impacted by the 4 disruptions that occurred due to COVID-19.
5. The combined number of diagnosed cancers during 2020 and 2021 was down 4,320 cases or 8% lower than projected.

• Although cancer incidence rates have fallen and survival rates have improved over time across the majority of cancers, there is no evidence of any reduction in disparities between the least and most deprived areas.
• Overall, there was a 7% higher risk of developing cancer for men and a 5% higher risk for women living in most deprived areas compared to those living in the least deprived areas.
• Higher risk of later stage at presentation for breast and prostate cancer when comparing the least and most deprived groups. No disparities in stage of presentation were found for lung or colorectal cancers.
• Higher incidence of breast, prostate, and melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in people living in more affluent areas.
• Overall, there was lower five-year cancer survival rates in patients from the most deprived areas, who have an 28% higher risk of dying from their cancer.
• Higher incidence of stomach, lung and cervical cancer in people living in more deprived areas.