West of Ireland’s breast cancer survival rate lower than national average

There is a significant difference in rates of breast cancer survival in different parts of the country, new research shows.

The highest survival rate is in the south of the country, where 86.6 of sufferers beat the illness. The lowest is in the west, with a rate of survival of 80 per cent. The survival rate for Dublin and mid-Leinster region is 86.3 per cent while it is 85.9 per cent in the north east. The national average rate of survival is 85 per cent. A number of factors can influence survival, such as who far along the cancer is when diagnosed and the treatment. The figures come from the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System Annual Report 2019, looking at breast cancer data from between 2011 and 2015. The report shows that the rate of survival for cervical cancer is highest in the west of the country at 67.2 per cent, compared to a national average of 66.2 per cent. The survival rate for bowel cancer in Ireland is 63.1 per cent while the survival rate for lung cancer is 19.5 per cent. The report was launched today by Health Minister Simon Harris. It shows some promising news, including that heart failure and hospitalisation for asthma are at a lower level here than the international averages. Antibiotic consumption is also decreasing, as it the mortality rate for strokes. However the report notes a "worrying trend" in the level of Benzodiazepine consumption among older people. Irish over-65s take more of the medication than the international average. Vaccine hesitancy is also an issue, Mr Harris noted, saying that there "can be no room for complacency in this area."