Irish survival rate for cancer among worst in EU

IRELAND has one of the worst survival rates in the European Union for cancer sufferers and should be spending far more on research, according to a leading expert in the field.

Although the country spends more than the EU average per head of population on research into the disease, which is responsible for one death in four, it is not enough, according to Professor Richard Sullivan.

“Ireland is not keeping up with the increase in its GDP (gross domestic product) in spending on cancer research,” he told a conference on cancer research funding, adding that the authorities “need to up their game”.

Ireland spends about €18 million a year on cancer research.

Fine Gael Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Colm Burke points out this works out at €3.99 per head of population, which is slightly higher than the EU average of €3.42 per capita.

“But we are seriously lagging behind the leaders in the field, including Britain, which now spends €13.18 per person.

“Our survival rates are very poor compared to northern Europe in particular, and given that we have the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies within 20km of Cork city we should be seeing far more research in our universities and institutes,” he said.

MEP Avril Doyle warned that “Ireland risks becoming a comparative cancer black spot”.

Cancer survival rates have improved across Europe but Ireland ranks among the lowest, according to a study published in The Lancet journal last month.

Countries with the best survival rates, like Sweden and Norway, employed a more holistic approach ranging from prevention, screening and treatment to research, said Prof Sullivan.