Education and awareness are key to improving cancer outcomes- Noone

Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has said education and awareness are key to improving cancer outcomes.

She said: “We must continue to provide education and awareness about cancer and its causes and continue working towards implementing a new National Cancer Strategy.

“Measures such as these could have a significant effect on the outcomes for all socio-economic groups.

“Fifty years ago, just three in ten cancer patients survived their diagnosis. Now, six in ten will live for five years or more after being told that they have cancer.

“I was disturbed to see men in areas with the poorest education levels have a 32 per cent greater risk of lung cancer than men living in areas with the highest education level.

“Increased dialogue with organisations such as the Irish Cancer Society can help us tackle these statistics.

“I would encourage all of us to do our part in supporting cancer research and awareness, not just tomorrow on Daffodil Day, but all year round.

“Furthermore, I am calling on Minister Harris to renew the National Cancer Strategy as soon as possible in order to close the socio-economic gap and to tackle cancer as best we can.”

ENDS