Three international cancer experts have been appointed by the Health Minister, Leo Varadkar, to evaluate Ireland's current National Cancer Strategy and to provide advice on the next one, which is due to run from 2016.

The current strategy, A Strategy For Cancer Control in Ireland, was formulated in 2006, and much of its focus was on the eight specialist cancer centres around the country, and screening programmes.

According to the Department of Health, it is thought that the main challenges facing Ireland from 2016 onwards will be reducing the rise in cancer cases, ensuring that Irish services are on a par with the top international performers and maximising holistic recovery among patients.

The three experts that have been appointed are:
-Prof Pádraig Warde who is the interim vice president of the Clinical Programs & Quality Initiaitves of Cancer Care in Ontario, Canada
-Prof Alison Richardson who is clinical professor of cancer nursing and end of life care at the University of Southampton and Southampton General Hospital
-Prof Harry de Koning, professor of public health and evaluation of screening at the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

"We are delighted that this group of distinguished cancer experts has agreed to evaluate our current cancer strategy and I extend my sincere thanks to them. Their research and advice will be invaluable in drafting the next national cancer strategy. I look forward to receiving their report," Minister Varadkar commented.