THE INCIDENCE and mortality from breast cancer and ovarian cancer in Ireland is above the EU average, according to research carried out by the Women's Health Council, which was published yesterday.
Dr Laura Wyness, senior researcher with the council, said the incidence of breast cancer in Ireland was 19 per cent above the EU average, and mortality from the disease here was also 17 per cent above the average in 25 EU states.
Furthermore, she said the incidence of ovarian cancer here was 22 per cent above the average in western Europe, and mortality rates in Ireland were 37 per cent above the average.
In addition, the number of cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the Republic had shown a recent increase and there had also been an increase in deaths from the disease here in recent years "in contrast to the rapid decline" in cervical cancer mortality experienced since the 1970s in many neighbouring countries.
However, the Women's Health Council in its new report, which outlines the latest treatment options for women with these cancers, stresses that the survival of women in the State with these cancers has been improving.
The five-year survival in women with breast cancer, for example, has shown significant improvement from 75.9 per cent for women diagnosed between 1995 and 1999 to 82.2 per cent for women diagnosed between 2000 and 2004. The report states: "Cancer survival depends on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis and the age of the women. Survival for all three cancers is higher for women diagnosed with early-stage cancer compared to advanced-stage cancer.
"For example, the relative five-year survival for women with early (stage 0-2) breast cancer is 92.1 per cent and 42.7 per cent for women diagnosed with advanced (stage 3-4) breast cancer".
Geraldine Luddy, director of the council, said improvements in cancer treatment were constantly being made. "Our review summarises advances in cancer treatments which offer improved survival and cure rates and a better quality of life for women.
"However, decisions on the best treatments are complex, and it is important that people know that some treatments are only effective depending on the type of cancer and the women's individual profile," she said.
The review endorses plans to provide cancer treatments at eight designated centres.
The chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society, John McCormack, urged women to be breast aware and to immediately bring any changes to the attention of their doctor.
He also urged them to sign up to the new cervical cancer screening programme, and said it was important all groups push for a national cervical cancer vaccination programme as soon as possible.
The report can be read on www.whc.ie