Irish Cancer Society to pilot mobile lung cancer screening clinics in effort to boost early detection

Averil Power, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society: 'This historic investment by the Irish Cancer Society marks a turning point for lung cancer in Ireland.'

Croke Park and other GAA facilities are to host mobile lung cancer clinics to help boost early detection rates through screening. 

More than 2,500 cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year in Ireland, with almost 13% occurring in North Dublin.

A first-of-its-kind pilot project is available in Dublin and the north-east for now, but it is hoped to expand this over time to other parts of the country. 

Irish Cancer Society chief executive Averil Power said lung cancer was “Ireland’s biggest cancer killer”, saying this was mainly down to being diagnosed late in people’s illness.

“This historic investment by the Irish Cancer Society marks a turning point for lung cancer in Ireland,” Ms Power said on Tuesday. 

It is the largest single investment in lung cancer in Ireland's history and is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of the Irish public through their support of days like Daffodil Day.

In all, an investment of €4.9m is being made in the screening programme.

“We are hopeful that it will lead to a free national lung health check programme for everyone in Ireland at high risk of lung cancer,” she said.

Professor Daniel Ryan, clinical lead for the project, said having mobile lung health checks in the community was “a major step forward” for healthcare.

If you receive an invitation, I strongly encourage you to take part. A simple scan could make all the difference — catching lung cancer early can greatly improve outcomes. 

A respiratory consultant at the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre, Mr Ryan praised the project for “breaking down barriers" preventing early diagnosis. 

“The support from the Irish Cancer Society, and our collaboration with Centric Health GP practices, Alliance Medical Diagnostic Imaging, and the GAA clubs in the region will ultimately save lives," he said.

The pilot will focus on people at high-risk, including current or former smokers.