Pandemic led to 10% fewer cancers being caught than expected, says Stephen Donnelly

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Significant delays in the health service during Covid-19 led to 10% fewer cancers being caught than were expected, “alarming” new figures reveal.

New national figures on the impact of the pandemic on cancer diagnoses reveal it led to a 10% reduction in cancer diagnoses (based on all cancers) or 11% (based on microscopically verified cancers) in 2020, compared to what was expected that year, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed.