Nationwide there were 1,000 cases of the disease in 1994, almost 1,100 cases in 1995 with 514 deaths reported in that year. Now prostate cancer is recognised as being the second most common cancer in men (after skin cancer).
The ageing of the popu
lation will result in an approximate doubling in the number of people who will develop cancer in Ireland over the next 13 years.
Cancer control involves prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment. More than 30 per cent of all cancers are preventable: prevention and early diagnosis must remain a central focus of cancer policy.
The most recent all-Ireland report from the National Cancer Registry (Eire) and the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry shows that prostate cancer ranks top amongst cancers and that Irish men have a one in 12 chance of developing prostate cancer.
The report stresses that the prostate cancer incidence rates in the Republic are significantly higher than in Northern Ireland, and are becoming increasingly so.
The number of prostate cancer deaths per year in Ireland (1994 to 2001) was 13 per cent of the cancer total. The survivor to incidence ratio for prostate cancer is 7.5 or 0.6 per cent, compared with 13.5 or 1.3 per cent for female breast cancer.
The most common cancers increased in number between 1994 and 2001. The largest increase in cancer numbers was in cancer of the prostate, which increased by an average of 7.6 per cent per year from 1,089 cases in 1994 to 1,824 cases in 2001. Irish men are the most at risk in Europe and it is estimated there will be a 275 per cent increase in the incidence of prostate cancer by 2020.
The tell-tale symptoms are: frequent urination, especially at night; difficulty in holding back urine, difficulty starting to urinate, inability to urinate, weak or interrupted urine flow, erectile problem, stiffness or aches in the hips, low back or thighs, blood in urine or semen, painful ejaculation, painful or burning urination.
Prostate assessment is available locally at the ICIM Medics, St. Johns Grove, Johnstown, Naas, Kildare, telephone 045 844819 or www.icim.ie. ICIM Medics was set up by local woman Jean Fitzgerald and her husband in 2001. At the time there was no screening available in Ireland for this cancer and ICIM Medics were the first to provide a one-stop prostate assessment with immediate results.
Meanwhile, another local has joined the fight agianst the disease. Irish rugby international Jamie Heaslip is growing a moustache for one month to help raise awareness and funds for men's health and specifically prostate cancer.
"What many people don't appreciate is that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer in Ireland. Facts like these have convinced me I should get involved and I am hoping that you will support me," he said.
Donations can be made by clicking on to http://ie.movember.com/mospace/484361/ or by sending a cheque payable to Irish Cancer Society referencing his registration number 484361 and mailing it to: Movember - Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4.
