Friday 17 January: The Irish Cancer Society has today welcomed the provisions in the draft Programme for Government that aim to improve the lives of cancer patients, cancer survivors and their families.

The Society is particularly pleased to see specific commitments around:

· Providing multiannual funding for the National Cancer Strategy.

· Protecting diagnostic pathways and investing in infrastructure and equipment to meet target treatment times outlined in the National Cancer Strategy.

· Improving access to innovative new treatments for cancer.

· Legislating for the Right To Be Forgotten, requiring insurers to disregard a cancer diagnosis where treatment ended more than 7 years prior to application.

· Introducing wide ranging restrictions on vaping, including packaging, flavours, point of sale advertising and a ban on disposable vapes.

· Expanding the Bowel Screen and Breast Check programmes.

· Reinstating the Laura Brennan Catch-Up Programme which expired in Jan 2024.

· Extending the Acute Oncology Nursing Service, an effective Emergency Department avoidance measure for cancer patients in active treatment.

· Implementing the National Genomics Strategy

Although these Government commitments are a promising start, the Society believes more must also be done to ease the huge financial burden a cancer diagnosis brings to patients and their families.

CEO Averil Power said:

“The next Government has the opportunity to make Ireland a world-leader in cancer services and outcomes. The draft Programme for Government carries a significant number of specific commitments on cancer. It’s heartening to see that the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and all who negotiated the programme for Government have listened to our advocacy on behalf of cancer patients and survivors across Ireland.

“It’s now imperative that this ambition is matched by delivery, and that we see real action from day one. The next Government has the potential to turn the tide on cancer. With proper investment, it can ensure that more Irish people survive cancer and enjoy a good quality of life afterwards.

“We look forward to engaging with the next Minister for Health and their team to support the implementation of these commitments. We’re particularly eager to understand exactly how ringfenced funding to cancer services will be allocated and how the Government will deliver on the levels of increased investment in the National Cancer Strategy promised during the election.”

ENDS