Women and cancer 1994-2001

“Death rates from cancer are higher in women in Ireland than in women in other European countries”.

 The Women’s Health Council and the National Cancer Registry today launched a report on “Women and Cancer 1994-2001”.  The report shows that the death rate from cancer among women in Ireland is higher than for other western European countries, apart from Denmark.  Cancer incidence (based on new cases) in women in Ireland is also high compared to our European neighbours.  In addition, survival for several cancers is relatively poor by international standards.

 Dr Harry Comber, Director of the National Cancer Registry, stated: “Cancer is the second most common cause of death for women in Ireland.  The number of women diagnosed with cancer has risen steadily over the past decade. In 1994, 5848 cases of malignant cancer were diagnosed in women in Ireland but by 2006, we expect this to rise to 7400 women, an increase of more than 25%. However, the prospects for cancer prevention are not bleak. The chances of developing many of the common cancers are strongly influenced by aspects of lifestyle, such as smoking, exercise, diet, and weight control. In addition, survival prospects for most cancers are improved if the disease is detected at an early stage.”

 In light of these statistics, the report asserts that it is vital that resources are provided

▪       for innovative health promotion strategies to increase women's awareness of cancer, risk factors and symptoms, thereby promoting both healthy lifestyle behaviours and earlier detection;

▪       for comprehensive screening programmes; and

▪       to ensure equitable access to high-quality specialist care, treatment, support and palliative care services across the population.

 The report recommends that breast and cervical cancer screening programmes must be rolled out to the whole country for women in appropriate

age groups as soon as possible. Consideration should be given to the implementation of a pilot programme for colorectal cancer screening. 

 The report also highlights significant differences in cancer incidence among women from different socio-economic groups.  Ms. Geraldine Luddy, Director of the Women’s Health Council, maintains: “Cancer incidence is often related to social circumstances.  What is more, likelihood of treatment for cancer and survival have also been found to be related to socio-economic status.  For colorectal cancer, for example, those from more deprived areas are less likely to undergo surgery for their cancer and have lower survival rates than those from more affluent areas.  This demonstrates a need for specialist diagnostic and treatment services to be made more accessible to women (and men) from the most disadvantaged sections of society.”

The link between cancer incidence and socio-economic status is due to different patterns of exposure to cancer risk factors in different social groups.  For instance, smoking rates are higher among women from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Smoking is a major risk factors for the development of a range of cancers in women; as well as lung cancer, smoking contributes to cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, kidney, cervix, pancreas and bladder and to leukaemia and, possibly, also to colorectal cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. With this in mind, the report points to the clear need for effective smoking cessation programmes to be designed for women and targeted at their particular circumstances.  In addition, initiatives are needed to enable, and support, women from disadvantaged groups in making other healthy lifestyle choices.  These types of measure will help to address
the socio-economic differentials in cancer incidence in Ireland.

Another of the report’s most striking findings was that older women are much less likely to receive treatment for cancer than women in younger age groups. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but more research in this area is needed to ensure that the treatment and care needs of older women are appropriately addressed.

Finally, the report makes the recommendation that further research must be carried out to:

- investigate reasons for differences in cancer incidence, survival and mortality between Ireland and other countries and

- address the gaps in information found regarding cancer risk factors in Ireland.