People from the most disadvantaged areas who develop cancer continue to have a much lower chance of surviving the disease compared to those in more affluent areas, new data has revealed.

The data was compiled by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) and it shows that the five-year survival rate for cancer in Ireland is 64% among people living in the least deprived areas, but this figure falls to 55% in the most deprived areas - a 9% difference in survival rates.

The data also shows different survival rates for different cancers. The five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer among those in the least deprived areas is 64%, but 56% in the most deprived areas. Meanwhile, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer in the least deprived areas is 22%, compared to 16% in the most deprived areas.

According to Kathleen O'Meara of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), ‘where you live has a significant impact on how long you live'.

"Cancer affects all parts of Irish society but some people are more at risk than others. The data shows that those in the poorest communities in Ireland have a reduced chance of surviving their cancer diagnosis.
 
"The reasons for this are multiple but often the people in these communities have the greatest difficulties in accessing healthcare. Late diagnosis can lead to late treatment and to worse outcomes. In some deprived Dublin areas, there are not enough primary care resources. For instance in north Dublin, there is one GP for every 2,500 people. Nationally this figure is 1:1,600," she explained.

Ms O'Meara said that it is going to take ‘a big effort' on the part of the Government, the HSE and organisations like the ICS to bridge this ‘cancer gap'.

She pointed to a research report carried out by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) in 2013, which found that access to diagnostics is a major problem for public patients. That research found that public patients have an average wait of 14 weeks for abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, while private patients have an average wait of just over four days.

"This is hugely unfair. All communities and backgrounds should have equal access to diagnostics and fast treatment. Everyone has an equal right to being diagnosed early," Ms O'Meara insisted.

She noted that there have been some ‘positive sounds coming from those in power in health' and the Government has started to recognise that health inequalities are damaging to the wellbeing of the country.

"Healthy Ireland, the Government's plan to improve the health and wellbeing of Ireland, was published in March 2013 and one of its four main goals is reducing health inequalities. We want the next National Cancer Strategy to have the topic of tackling health inequalities as a priority," she added.

The NCRI data was presented at the ICS's Charles Cully Memorial Lecture and is due to be published in early 2016. The lecture is an annual event named after one of the most influential founding members of the ICS. It aims to recognise leadership in the field of cancer and highlight best practice and innovation in this area.

If you are concerned about cancer, call the ICS Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700.