Cork has highest bowel cancer rate in the country
According to data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland, Cork has an incidence rate of 57.9 per 100,000 per year.
Other hotspots are Leitrim, with a rate of 56.39; Louth, with 54.97, Dublin North, with 54.49; and Westmeath, with a rate of 54.23.
High levels of bowel cancer in certain parts of the country could be due to lifestyle or genetic factors.
Research has found that adults who increase their physical activity and have a healthy diet can reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer by 30% to 40%.
It is estimated that between 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day offers the best protection against bowel cancer.
Currently, one-third of people aged 50-plus are obese, 44% are overweight and about one-third have a low level of physical activity.
This month is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and the Irish Cancer Society is urging people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, as well as action they can take to prevent it.
Bowel cancer that is detected at an early stage is treatable and patients can have positive outcomes.
Those between the ages of 60 and 70 can also take part in the national bowel screening programme called BowelScreen when invited by letter to do so.
Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Ireland. Each year around 2,000 people in Ireland are diagnosed with the disease, and 900 die from it.
More than half of people with bowel cancer are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease and, as a result, need more complex treatment and have a poorer chance of survival.
Top 10 counties with highest rate of bowel cancer incidence:
-Cork — 57.90 (per 100,000 per year)
-Leitrim — 56.39
-Louth — 54.97
-Dublin North — 54.49
-Westmeath — 54.23
-Dublin South — 53.87
-Cavan — 53.44
-Mayo — 52.98
-Waterford — 52.29
-Sligo — 52.28
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