Minister for Health launches Joint Euro-American Forum on Cancer

• Funding of over €50 million allocated under the National Cancer Strategy since 2020 has improved treatment and screening services, supporting recruitment of over 400 staff
• €37.6 million in research funding since 2020 has delivered support to the development of cancer clinical trials infrastructure
• Survivorship rates in Ireland have improved by almost 50% compared to two decades ago

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly today launched the Joint Euro-American Forum on Cancer in Farmleigh House, Dublin. This forum brings together world-renowned cancer organisations including the European Cancer Organisation, the American Society for Clinical Oncology, the European School of Oncology, and the US National Cancer Institute, along with the All-Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI) and National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in the spirit of cooperation and to further cancer research in Ireland and globally.

March 2024 saw the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the workplace smoking ban. Ireland was the first country in the world to introduce this important public health policy, which has since been adopted by 78 countries worldwide. 2024 also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Ireland - Northern Ireland - US National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium. The purpose of this tripartite initiative is to reduce cancer incidence and mortality and to help those living with and beyond cancer across the island of Ireland. The initiative has encouraged cross-border and transatlantic partnerships in cancer research and control and is a direct result of the Good Friday Agreement. €1.2 million has been allocated through the Consortium in 2024 for research projects working on a tripartite basis to promote cooperation in cancer research.

Launching the Forum, Minister Donnelly said:

"Today's Forum is an opportunity to celebrate achievements in North-South and Transatlantic cooperation on cancer, particularly through the North West Cancer Centre, and the Cancer Consortium which has benefitted from expert input by the United States National Cancer Institute. In Ireland, we have seen improvements in survival rates and patient outcomes due to a shared national approach which has involved the National Cancer Control Programme, cancer teams in designated hospitals, researchers and patient and volunteer organisations. This Government's commitment to cancer has been shown through substantial investment of over €50 million into cancer treatment and screening through our National Cancer Strategy, and through €37.6 million in funding into cancer research."

Speaking on the importance of research in cancer control, Minister Donnelly continued:

"If we want our national cancer services to continue to improve it is imperative that we develop innovative practices, and cross border and international co-operation on cancer research and shared learning are of critical importance. We need to continue to work together, nationally, on this island, in Europe and globally to ensure that people have the best quality of life possible."

Minister Donnelly also highlighted significant improvements in cancer outcomes:

"Many more people are surviving cancer thanks to improved treatment. More than 215,000 people are living in Ireland today following a cancer diagnosis compared to 150,000 in 2017. Survival rates for patients after receiving a cancer diagnosis have also continued to improve, with 65% of patients living 5 years after a cancer diagnosis in 2014-2018, compared to 44% in 1994-1998. Ireland has outperformed our European peers in reducing the rate of deaths from cancer. Studies for the period 2011-2019 found that Ireland reduced cancer mortality by 14% for men and 13% for women, compared to the EU average of 10% for men and 5% for women."

Notes to Editors

Speech by the Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly delivered at the Joint Euro-American Forum on Cancer