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.