‘Number of cancer diagnoses rising by 2% annually’

The number of cancer cases diagnosed in Ireland is increasing by around 2% every year, according to figures released today by the National Cancer Registry.

The registry said the biggest increases were in the area of prostate cancer, with diagnoses rising by around 7% each year.

However, it also said that cancer survival rates were improving on an annual basis, mainly due to an increase in the amount of people receiving treatment.

Commenting on the figures, Dr Harry Comber of the National Cancer Registry said the underlying risk of developing cancer remained largely unchanged over the past five years.