Up to 30,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed every year by 2010, according to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS).
It said that the number of cancer cases diagnosed in Ireland could jump to more than 35,000 in 2015, and over 41,000 by 2020.
The Irish Cancer Society launched its annual Daffodil Day today
Unveiling its 2008 Daffodil Day campaign this morning, the ICS attributed the expected rise in cancer cases to an ageing population and an increase in unhealthy lifestyles.
Some 5,000 volunteers will take to the streets of Ireland on Friday, March 7th, to collect for the biggest and longest running flag day in a bid to raise €4.5 million for the society.
Monies raised will fund the society's free night nursing service for patients at the advanced stage of the illness, hospital-based cancer liaison nurses, cancer homecare teams, and the cancer information services helpline, which handled some 12,000 calls last year.
ICS chief executive John McCormack today repeated the organisation's support of Government plans to centralise cancer services in eight designated specialist cancer centres that would provide prompt access to high quality specialist multidisciplinary care.
"The public should not see these reforms as downgrading of services at local level but rather the introduction of best practice and more specialisation, which will improve patient care and survival rates for this disease that is an epidemic," said Mr McCormack.