Cancer services
Information
Cancer is one of the main causes of death in Ireland. If you have any concerns regarding cancer or have a family history of cancer or have symptoms that you are worried about, you should contact your family doctor (GP).
Cancer care services are provided by your family doctor (GP), hospitals and community care services.
There are also Palliative care services, that is, care for a patient and his/her family when there is no longer a medical expectation of a cure.
Specific screening programmes are already in place, that is, BreastCheck the National Breast Screening Programme and CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme.
HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
It is widely accepted that the best outcomes for cancer patients are achieved when the initial diagnosis, treatment plan, surgery and radiotherapy are carried out by multi-disciplinary teams dealing with large numbers of patients.
In 2007 the Health Service Executive (HSE) established a National Cancer Control Programme to manage, organise and deliver a national programme for the entire population. Under the NCCP there are eight cancer centres within four managed cancer control networks nationally. All initial diagnosis and surgery will eventually take place in these cancer centres. Chemotherapy and follow up care will be delivered more locally, according to care plans set at the cancer centres.
| Networks | Centres |
| HSE Dublin North East | Beaumont Hospital Mater Misericordiae Hospital |
| HSE Dublin Mid Leinster | St. James's Hospital St. Vincent's Hospital |
| HSE South | Cork University Hospital Waterford Regional Hospital |
| HSE West | University Hospital Galway Limerick Regional Hospital |
National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS)
The National Cancer Screening Service encompasses BreastCheck and CervicalCheck. It came under the control of the HSE in April 2010.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal screening can lead to the early detection of cancer, the
improvement of treatment outcomes and the detection of pre-cancerous growths.
Work is underway on the establishment of a national colorectal screening
programme. The programme will start on a national basis in 2012.
National Cancer Registry
The National Cancer Registry is a statutory body whose function is to collect and analyse data and report on cancer incidence and mortality in Ireland.
All-Ireland NCI Cancer ConsortiumExpenses
Child oncology patients and children with permanent disabilities
In the case of children receiving treatment for cancer (that is, child oncology patients) and children with permanent disabilities, tax relief may be claimed on certain telephone, overnight accommodation, travel, hygiene products and special clothing expenses incurred as health expenses. Read more about taxation of medical expenses in Ireland here.
Travel2Care scheme
Some people who are referred to a cancer centre may need help with the costs of travelling to their appointment(s). The NCCP therefore funds a Travel2Care scheme, which is administered by the Irish Cancer Society. The scheme may help patients with some travel costs if they have genuine financial hardship or need due to travelling to a cancer centre.
Patients who are attending a designated cancer care centre for assessment and/or investigations in one of the approved centres can apply by downloading and completing Application Form A: Assessment and Investigation (pdf) or request a hardcopy to be posted by contacting: Travel2Care, Irish Cancer Society, Tel: 01-231 6643/ 01 231 6619 or email travel2care@irishcancer.ie.
Patient who are having ongoing treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), must speak to a medical social worker, cancer nurse or other healthcare professional who may complete Application Form B on their behalf.
Care To Drive programme
Care to Drive is a volunteer-led transport initiative in which the Irish Cancer Society recruit and train volunteers to drive patients to and from their chemotherapy appointments. The service is free to the patient. It is not nationally available.
It is currently available in the following hospitals:
- St. James's Hospital, Dublin
- St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin
- Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin (public)
- Letterkenny General Hospital
- Sligo General Hospital
The patient must present themselves to the social worker in the partner hospital or to the nurse administering their chemotherapy treatment who will then perform an assessment on the patient and can refer them to the service. For more information call the Irish Cancer Society on 01 231 0522 or 01 231 0566.
Where to apply
The Irish Cancer Society is a voluntary organisation that provides support
and help to cancer sufferers and their families. It provides some nursing
services and funds some palliative care and twilight nursing services. It has
local branches in most parts of the country.
Irish Cancer Society
43-45 Northumberland Road
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel:+353 (0)1 2310 500
Fax:+353 (0)1 2310 555
Homepage: http://www.cancer.ie/
Email: helpline@irishcancer.ie
CanTeen
is a support group for young people aged 12-25 who have had cancer and for
their families and friends. It
operates from the Irish Cancer Society premises. Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800
200 700. E-mail: support@irishcancer.ie
National Cancer Registry
Building 6800
Cork Airport Business Park
Kinsale Road
Cork
Ireland
Tel:+353 (0)21 431 8014
Fax:+353 (0)21 431 8016
Homepage: http://www.ncri.ie/ncri/index.shtml
Email: info@ncri.ie
Language
Related Documents
- Health Service Agencies
Introduction to the various agencies and bodies that have a role in delivering and regulating health services. - Developments in cancer prevention and early detection services
These include the introduction of HPV vaccination for first-year secondary schoolgirls and the introduction of colorectal cancer screening. - BreastCheck
BreastCheck is the national breast screening programme aimed at the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.