Health Board rejects Askeaton cancer claims
As a consequence the board, in collaboration with the National Cancer Registry, conducted a further study that followed on from the work of the EPS Report but extended the time period from 1994 to 1999. This report was presented to the health board at its meeting in October 2002. This data is the most up-to-date available, taking the data down to the level of individual electoral districts.
The report shows that the level of cancer in the Mid-West is generally less than the rest of the country and only two areas (Ballynanty in Limerick City and Formoyle in Co Clare) have cancer rates significantly above that of Ireland (nationally). Looking at the areas around Askeaton the rates are either less than or around the level for Ireland. (In fact in most incidences the differences between the Irish rate and the local rate is often one or two cases or even a fraction of a case of cancer.) This report does not support the case for their being an abnormal problem with cancer in the Askeaton area.
The report on cancer was sent out in October 2002 to the Cappagh group and included an invitation to meet and discuss the report and its implications. In addition, we offered to review the cases of cancer they knew of to see if they were registered with the cancer registry. No response was received. Dr Comber at the NCR has been contacted recently but has not been given details of the cases to allow him ascertain if they are known to the registry.
A letter was sent to local GPs with the report, requesting them to contact us if they had seen or were seeing an excess of cancer cases. No responses have been received.
The Mid West's rate of cancer is lower than the national rate and lower than the Eastern region.
The information in the story is a repeat of previous stories/reports from this group that has been repeatedly repudiated by the facts from the National Cancer Registry.
Access to their data to assess it has been declined. This has not permitted us an opportunity to evaluate it, to investigate further or to refute it. We have provided full access to ours.
The Board, at its meeting on July 11, agreed to stage a meeting in the area to be addressed by cancer experts and to present the information from the Cancer Registry. Such a meeting will be set up shortly after the holiday period.
Dr Kevin Kelleher,
Director of Public Health,
Mid-Western Health Board,
Central Offices,
31-33 Catherine Street,
Limerick.
