This report highlights the continuing increase in the cancer burden in Ireland. The number of cancer cases continues to increase by 3% annually and the number of deaths by about 1% annually.

Other highlights of the report include:
• The commonest cancers are breast cancer in women (32% of the total), prostate cancer in men (31%). Colorectal/bowel (13%) and lung (11%) are the commonest cancers affecting both sexes.
• Lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death in both sexes (20% of all deaths), although this cancer is almost completely avoidable. Lung cancer mortality in Irish women is the 4th highest in Europe; it is more than 50% above the European average and still increasing.
• The risk of developing cancer is increasing by around 1% a year but the risk of dying of cancer is falling by about the same amount, showing the impact of improving cancer survival.
• Long-term survival from cancer has greatly increased in the past decade. Survival at five years from diagnosis has gone from 42% in 1994-1999 to 60% in 2005-2009 in men and from 52% to 62% over the same period in women. Survival for some cancers—testis, prostate and thyroid—is now over 90% at five years.