Breast cancer: Limerick and Kerry among worst affected counties in survival rate ‘postcode lottery’

Breast cancer survival rates are as much as 14% lower in some counties than others with Limerick, Kerry, and Mayo among the worst areas in the country

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026 - 01:05

Paul Hosford

Breast cancer survival rates are as much as 14% higher in some counties than others with the Mid-West, Limerick, and Kerry among the worst in the country.

Latest figures show the five-year survival rate for breast cancer nationally is 87.3%.

However, a county-by-county breakdown shows that while the rate is 94% in Cavan, 92.6% in Kildare, and 90% in Cork, it drops to 80.3% in Limerick and 82.3% in Kerry.

Contrasting rates in Mid-West region

Across the Mid-West, Tipperary South is at 83.2%, while Clare is at 84.9% survival. Tipperary North, by contrast, is at 90%.

Irish Cancer Society director of advocacy Steve Dempsey said the data provided to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín for five-year net survival for breast cancer for 2018-2022 “illustrates concerns that the Irish Cancer Society has been raising for some time regarding the postcode lottery facing cancer patients across the country”. He said;

Where you live should have no bearing on the timeliness and quality of care you receive when it comes to cancer.

“The five-year survival rates on a per-county basis for breast cancer clearly shows that those living in the Mid-West region, as well as those in counties Mayo and Kerry, in particular, are faring worse and well below the national average.”

Mr Dempsey pointed to reports last summer showing that BreastCheck, the countrywide screening service for women aged between 50 and 69, missed its target of 195,000 screenings in 2024 by just under 30%.

It was the second year in a row the target had been missed by a distance. However, the disparity between target and actual results widened significantly in 2024. The 2023 target of 185,000 screenings missed by 10%.

He said: “We know that when it comes to urgent symptomatic breast clinic referrals, during January to October 2025, more than 9,000 patients weren’t seen to within the recommended two-week timeframe. And we know that for three years in a row, BreastCheck has failed to meet its targets for the number of women it should be screening.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín: '[T]here is a 14 percentage point difference in breast cancer survival chances depending on what county in Ireland you come from.' Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

“Early detection is vital when it comes to all cancer types and in the case of breast cancer, those diagnosed at Stage 1 have a 99% five-year survival rate compared to 37% at Stage 4.

“In Budget 2026, the Government indicated there will be a new regional-based funding model and the health minister herself has highlighted regional inconsistencies.

"We’re waiting for further details on how this new funding model will work to improve regional discrepancies. “

Mr Tóibín said: “The information released to us shows that there is a 14 percentage point difference in breast cancer survival chances depending on what county in Ireland you come from.

"Aontú has also discovered that there is a 12 percentage differential in breast cancer survival rates when we compare women diagnosed in public hospitals or private hospitals in this country.”