Over the two year period, the combined number of diagnosed cancers was down 4,320 cases; the reduction for 2021 alone was 1,665 cases.“The impact of Covid-19 on the health of the Irish population is anticipated to have a long tail as its effects on the diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases become apparent,” according to Prof Deirdre Murray, NCRI director. “While cancer survival rates continue to improve, the incidence of most cancers increases with age.
Colorectal, breast and cervical cancer case numbers, which were notably impacted by the pandemic in 2020, returned to expected case numbers in 2021. The NCRI says liver, pancreatic and kidney cancers appear to have been most significantly impacted by the disruptions that occurred due to Covid-19. The shortfall for liver cancers was 36 per cent; for pancreatic cancer, 26 per cent; and for kidney cancer, 20 per cent.
Among women, pancreatic cancer cases were down 30 per cent on projections, while for men, livers cancers were down 39 per cent.The Irish Cancer Society expressed dismay that fewer cancers had been diagnosed for a second year. “Cancer never went away during the pandemic but remained undetected due to a range of reasons including putting off seeking medical advice, disruption to health services and possibly death from Covid-19,” director of advocacy, Rachel Morrogh pointed out.
“Until we see data that shows the number of cancers diagnosed have returned to expected levels, the ICS will continue to call for urgent and accelerated measures from Government that get people diagnosed in the first instance and, secondly, that ensure swift access to cancer treatment.”According to the Department of Health, 172 staff were recruited to cancer services last year and €20 million was provided to fund new services.