The Report sets out the progress achieved on the improvement of cancer services and the delivery of better outcomes for patients, as set out in the 52 recommendations of the Strategy. The report measures the achievement of these recommendations against 23 key performance indicators, which focus on reducing preventable cancer, promoting early detection and driving improvements in treatment and after-care for cancer patients.

Implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. Key developments in 2021 included:

• provisions prohibiting alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event or at events aimed at children introduced...

Recommendation 1: The Department of Health will ensure that policies under the Healthy Ireland framework are implemented in full and that opportunities to address cancer prevention measures under those policies are maximised. In particular, measures aimed at further reducing smoking levels will be pursued.

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Public Health (Tobacco & Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill began in November 2021. This Bill will prohibit the sale of tobacco from vending machines, temporary or movable premises and locations intended for children. It will also introduce a licencing system for the retail sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products, prohibit the sale of nicotine inhaling products to those under 18 and prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products by those under 18. Section 15 and 16 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act came into force in November 2021. These provisions prohibit alcohol advertising on a sports area during a sporting event or at events aimed at children. Alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children or events involving driving or racing motor vehicles is also prohibited.

Recommendation 2: The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) will develop a cancer prevention function, working in conjunction with the broader Healthy Ireland initiative, and will lead in relation to the development and implementation of policies and programmes focused on cancer prevention.

The NCCP cancer prevention function continues to participate in, and actively supports, Healthy Ireland and HSE public health programmes. The Irish Cancer Prevention Network, comprising the NCCP, Irish Cancer Society, Marie Keating Foundation and Breakthrough Cancer Research, delivered on its 2021 objectives. This included the publication of three newsletters, two webinars (Ageing Well: How to reduce your Cancer Risk and Food for thought: Eating for Health to Reduce Cancer Risk) and supporting health promotion events, for example on alcohol and cancer, Men’s Health week and Ovarian Cancer Awareness.In 2021, the NCCP enhanced its prevention function with an additional full time Cancer Prevention Officer, funded under Sláintecare. The NCCP Cancer Prevention webpage has been further developed in 2021 to act as a repository for cancer prevention resources. In 2021, the NCCP established a National Cancer Awareness survey advisory group and commenced work to develop a National Survey on Cancer Awareness and Attitudes for completion in 2022.