A steering group to advise the Department of Health on a new cancer strategy for the country has been established.

The National Cancer Strategy Steering Group is made up of a number of experts in the field and will be chaired by consultant medical oncologist at St James's Hospital, Prof John Kennedy.

The strategy, which will cover the period 2016-2025, will look at a number of specific issues, including making sure that cancer treatment in Ireland is on a par with top international standards and improving the quality of life of people who are recovering from cancer.

"Following the last two cancer strategies, the majority of people now survive cancer and survival rates continue to improve. The objective of the third strategy should be to bring Ireland in to the top tier of countries when it comes to cancer care," commented Health Minister, Leo Varadkar.

He pointed out that the number of cancer survivors is projected to increase significantly in the coming years. However, cancer incidence is also expected to double between now and 2040 because of our ageing population. As a result, the country still faces ‘many challenges' in this area, the Minister said.

The announcement was welcomed by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), however it described it as ‘vital' that this new strategy ‘recognises the very serious issue of the cancer gap in Ireland'.

"This is the difference in cancer death rates between affluent and non-affluent areas. According to data compiled by the National University of Maynooth, the gap is as wide as three times, from 381 cancer deaths per 100,000 in one Dublin community, compared to 128 per 100,000 in its nearby, more affluent neighbourhood," commented ICS head of services, Donal Buggy.

He emphasised that while cancer affects all parts of Irish society, some people are simply more at risk than others.

"Unfortunately those who live in our more deprived areas have a much higher risk of getting and dying of cancer. This inequality means that cancer death rates are higher than they need to be and the challenge for the new strategy is to address this in a real and tangible way," he said.

Mr Buggy, who will represent the ICS on the steering group, added that he will be suggesting new ideas on how to tackle high cancer rates in poorer communities.