Louth cancer rate 'not linked to Sellafield'

The increased incidence of cancer in Co Louth cannot be attributed to radiation coming from the Sellafield nuclear plant, according to a new report.

The report from the National Cancer Registry states that the higher cancer rates in the county are more likely to be linked to other factors such as smoking, diet and sun exposure.

"The cancers found in higher numbers were those of the skin, lung and stomach, and to a lesser extent, cancers of the oesophagus and leukaemia.

"The only known shared risk factor for these is smoking, which increases the risk of lung, oesophagus, and possibly stomach cancers," it said.

The report also added that there was no apparent explanation for the relatively high number of skin cancers in Co Louth.