According to statistics published by the Irish Cancer Society, it is reported that on average over 160 people are diagnosed with cancer everyday.
The phenomenal figure marks a statistic of one person every 3 minutes, totaling 55,000 people every year. The alarming figure comes after the group launched its new campaign entitled ‘Get’ Cancer, which encourages people to talk about the deadly illness.
Speaking about the campaign Malcolm Kell, professor at Breast Check Ireland in the Mater Hospital, said although the latest figures are very alarming, the positive outlook is that survival rates have significantly improved and are improving everyday.
Prof Kell told reporters: “I moved to Ireland as a junior doctor just over 20 years ago and at that time what we expected the survival and cure rate for cancer was probably around 40%, now it’s looking over 60%. “So that magnitude is almost a 50% increase in our ability to cure patients of cancer which is massive.”
“And we’re getting better at early diagnosis and improved treatment. All these things relate to an improved outcome for patients.”