Urgent cancer referrals on track after dip in March and April

Urgent referrals for a number of cancers declined by up to 40% in March and April, but are increasing as the year progresses. 

Urgent cancer referrals to rapid access clinics for breast, lung, and prostate cancer declined sharply at the height of the pandemic but are now beginning to track more closely to 2019 activity levels.

Figures furnished in the Dáil this week show that urgent cancer referrals dipped in March and April as the country went into lockdown but are now showing signs of stabilising.