Ireland has worst breast cancer mortality rate in Europe

Posted by Bronwen Maher on December 08, 2010 at 09:24 AM

                  Latest statistics are another damning legacy of Fianna Fail and Harney’s period as Health Minister

 
Labour MEP Nessa Childers today condemned the latest international health statistics which show that Ireland has the highest mortality rate in Europe for breast cancer along with Denmark. According to a new report published by the European Commission today, the Irish rate is at a stark 31%.
 
She said: "This figure is very worrying and is the legacy of Fianna Fail’s failed health policies over the past decade. Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU and breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in all European countries.”
 
Childers is an MEP on the influential public health committee of the European Parliament which has ambitious plans to achieve 100% screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer by 2013.
 
Nessa Childers contributed to the development of the report which is entitled the "European Partnership for Action Against Cancer".
 
She explained: “The report, which was voted on by the Parliament in May aims for all Member States to have integrated cancer plans by the end of 2013 which should result in a 15% reduction in cancer cases by 2020. On current trends this would result in a reduction of 510,000 cases across the 27 Member States including Ireland.
 
“One of the most significant targets contained in the report is to dramatically reduce the burden of cancer by achieving 100% coverage in terms of screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer over the next five years by providing 125 million examinations to EU citizens per year.
 
“As it stands, the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney plans to initially commence free screening for the 60-69 age group in 2012 with an expansion of the programme planned but only if resources permit. Clearly there is a significant gulf emerging between the EU’s ambition and the Irish government’s plans in regard to screening for colorectal cancer which claims 1,000 lives a year in this country alone. This whole area needs to be tackled much more comprehensively and Ireland needs to take inspiration from Europe’s leadership.
 
“Cancer represents the second most important cause of death and morbidity in Europe. Currently one in three people in the EU will be diagnosed with cancer during their life-time and experts predict that the cancer burden will increase sharply due to the ageing population unless urgent action to improve cancer control is taken now.”

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