Strategy is still tackling the themes of a decade ago

This cancer strategy may be a breakthrough document — or it may be a re-hash of a 1996 plan, writes Caroline O’Doherty.

THE first National Cancer Strategy published during Michael Noonan’s tenure as Health Minister 10 years ago was for all cancer patients to have equal access to treatment services regardless of where in Ireland they lived.

A key aim in 1996 was “reorganising cancer treatment services to promote a strong patient focus and ensure equity of access throughout the country”.