Cancer-related deaths twice as likely in 2023 than in 1922, CSO data reveals

The analysis found 2,523 people died of cancer in 1922, compared to 10,221 in 2023. File picture: Dan Linehan

While life expectancy in Ireland has vastly improved from a century ago, the number of cancer-related deaths has increased fourfold in the 100 years since.

That is according to new figures from the CSO, which compared the differences in life expectancy and causes of death in Ireland from 1922 to 2023.

The analysis found 2,523 people died of cancer in 1922, compared to 10,221 in 2023.

Factoring in population shifts, it meant cancer-related deaths were twice as likely in 2023, from 84 deaths per 100,000 people in 1922, to 194 per 100,000 in 2023.

The CSO noted that “great care” should be taken in deriving significant value from the figures.

The analysis suggested the increase could come from a host of different factors, including substandard diagnosis and testing in the Irish healthcare system more than a century ago.

Other potential factors for the rise included a change in classification of diseases, longer life expectancy, lifestyle factors including increased consumption of alcohol and tobacco, environmental factors, and negative elements of certain modern dietary choices.

“While we focused on common causes of death, differences may potentially exist in how causes of death were classified due to changing International Cause of Death (ICD) classification methodology used throughout the period 1922-2023, as well as differences due to changes in recording practices over the period,” said Seán O’Connor, a statistician in the CSO’s life events and demography division.

“It is also worth noting that death and cause of death patterns may be affected by other changing factors over time including wars, epidemics, migration, medical changes and diagnosis, and changes in socio-economic factors,” he added.

“Therefore, particular care should be taken when interpreting the changes from 1922-2023."

Data was compiled from the Registrar General for Saorstát Éireann of Marriages, Births, and Deaths for the years 1922-1951 and the subsequent CSO Vital Statistics releases thereafter.

The figures show death rates fell by more than half, from 1,474 per 100,000 of the population in 1922 to 675 per 100,000 in 2023.

A drop in infant mortality formed a large part of that overall shift. 

Infant mortality made up 9.1% of all deaths in 1922 but just 0.5% of all deaths in 2023.

The prevalence of tuberculosis that ravaged the early 20th century and took 4,614 lives in 1922 has now almost been reduced to a non-factor, with just 14 TB-related deaths in 2023.

Deaths from heart disease have also fluctuated over time, from relatively low ebbs in 1922 (153 deaths per 100,000) to significant peaks in 1966 (412 per 1,000). 

The figures then returned to 125 deaths per 100,000, or 6,620 people in 2023.

The average man and woman from 2015-2017 were expected to live until 80 and 83 years old, respectively, compared to 57 and 58 from 1925-1927.