General Election 2024

1 in 2 of us will get a cancer diagnosis in our lifetimes. When we do, we deserve the best possible care, treatment and support.

Cancer patients can’t wait, yet across the country they are forced to- they’re waiting for referrals, waiting for tests, waiting for treatment, waiting for lifesaving cancer trials and drugs, waiting for help with the cost of cancer, and waiting for the right support to rebuild their lives after treatment.

We’re calling on the next Government to deliver the cancer care Ireland deserves. 

Cancer patients in Ireland need:

Timely tests & Treatment. Yet, 280,000 people are currently waiting for a diagnostic scan, which could detect cancer. 1 in 3 people didn’t start radiotherapy on time in 2023.

Modern hospitals with enough beds, operating theatres and up to date equipment. Yet, 3 in 10 breast cancer patients didn’t get their breast cancer surgery in the recommended time in 2023.

More Clinical Trials. Yet just 3% of cancer patients take part in cancer trials in Ireland.

Help with the cost of cancer. Yet cancer patients are facing mounting medical, transport and parking charges alongside drops of income up to €18,000 per year.

An expanded screening service. Yet, Bowel Screen is not yet available to all people aged 55-74, as originally intended.

Equal access to care no matter where you live. Yet, public cancer patients don’t have access to the same treatments as those with private medical insurance, and people in rural Ireland clock up thousands of miles to access cancer care.

At the Irish Cancer Society, we believe cancer care is fixable, and we won’t stop until every cancer patient in Ireland has world class cancer care and supports.

Please stand with cancer patients and sign our petition urging the next government to prioritise cancer services and supports.

You can also download our leaflet to help you talk to your local candidates on the door about cancer care.