Expert urges targeted research into ‘unexplained’ cancer spike regions

A LEADING expert has called for targeted research into “unexplained” cancer spikes in specific parts of the country which do not appear to be linked to lifestyle or family history.

Dr Harry Comber, director of the National Cancer Registry (NCR), said the research is needed to prevent people needlessly suffering life-threatening cancers.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after the launch of the first cross-border Cancer Atlas report, the senior NCR official said specific parts of Ireland — including Cork — are suffering from “unexplained” cancer diagnosis rates.

“Few of the geographical patterns in cancer risk could be satisfactorily explained by the distribution of known risk factors,” he said.

Among the main findings of the joint NCR and Northern Ireland Cancer Registry report, looking at all cancer cases between 1995 and 2007, are:

* Bowel cancer is more common in Cork City than anywhere else.

* Lung cancer is higher in the north-east of the Republic and south Down.

* Leukaemia rates are highest in the south-west.

* Pancreatic cancer rates follow the same trend as leukaemia, with specific concerns raised over rates in Cork City for men and north Kerry for women.

The study also noted that while lung, stomach, head/neck and cervical cancers are more likely in areas of high unemployment and low education, these locations have far lower breast, skin and prostate cancer rates.

* The full report is at http://exa.mn/atlas

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