National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) annual report for 2020-2022 examines variation in cancer incidence and survival across new health regions.

In anticipation of the full implementation of the six new health regions in early 2025, the NCRI annual report on national cancer statistics has, for the first time, examined cancer incidence and survival across these six geographies for the four most common cancers in Ireland: lung, bowel (colorectal), breast and prostate cancer. These data are presented alongside national statistics providing an annual update on the status of cancer in Ireland.

In Ireland as a whole, an average of 44,000 tumours were diagnosed each year during 2020-2022. Prof. Deirdre Murray, Director of NCRI, and Professor of Epidemiology at University College Cork, noted that the majority of these (24,200) were potentially life-changing invasive cancers requiring extensive treatment. On average 9,800 people died each year from cancer during 2020-2022. One in five deaths were due to lung cancer.

Considering the six new health regions, the majority (60%) of all invasive cancers diagnosed during 2020-2022 occurred in the three eastern geographical areas (Dublin and North East, Dublin and Midlands, and Dublin and South East). Compared to the national average, the lung cancer incidence rate was higher in Dublin and Midlands, and lower in Dublin and South East. By contrast, the rate of prostate cancer was higher in Dublin and South East, but lower in Dublin and North East.

The proportion of people diagnosed during 2009-2018 and surviving at 5-years following diagnosis was lower than the national average for those living in the Mid West for colorectal, lung, and female breast cancer. Five-year survival for prostate cancer was also lower than the national average for people resident in the Dublin and North East region at the time of their diagnosis.

The report also found that, in Ireland as a whole, the number of people living with and beyond cancer continues to grow with an estimated 220,700 people who had been diagnosed with cancer still alive at the end of 2022 (about 1 in 23 of the Irish population).

Prof. Murray, said: “One of the core functions of the NCRI is to provide data for cancer service planning, evaluation and policymaking. While geographic variation must always be interpreted with care these data can point to important opportunities for improvement across cancer care from prevention, early diagnosis and screening, to access to services and treatment.”

Chair of the NCRI Board, Dr Robert O’Connor added: “This report provides a comprehensive overview of cancer statistics as our country began to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The data reveal critical insights into regional health outcome differences and emerging trends in cancer survival rates. The findings underscore the continued need for targeted, strategic investments in cancer research, prevention, treatment and post-treatment care to equitably maximise patient outcomes and community health.”

Read the report