Each year approximately 30,000 people in Ireland will be told they have cancer. Cancer is a disease that knows no boundaries, does not distinguish between sex, race or class, and has or will affect us all either directly or indirectly during our lifetime.

The good news is that more people are surviving cancer than ever before and this is thanks to increased awareness of signs and symptoms, early detection of the disease and better treatments. Survival rates in breast cancer for example have risen from 73% (1994 -1997) to 85% in 2007 – 2009. Prostate cancer survival has increased from 65% (1994 – 1997) to 93% in 2007 – 2009. These are two of many examples where survival rates have increased.

There are approximately 100,000 people living with cancer in Ireland. (This figure comes from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland is up to date as of 31/12/2009 and covers people diagnosed in the 16 year period 1994 – 2009.)

If you are concerned about cancer, please call the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700 and speak to a specialist cancer nurse in confidence or go to www.cancer.ie.

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