The national cancer charity is also highlighting the benefits of quitting smoking as latest Healthy Ireland survey shows stagnation in national smoking rates 

• According to the National Cancer Registry, there are more than 200,000 cancer survivors living in Ireland.
• Smoking rates in Ireland have remained at 18% for 3 years.
• Tobacco smoking remains the single biggest contributor to preventable disease and death in Ireland. Tobacco smoking increases the risk of 15 different types of cancer.
• The National Cancer Registry Ireland predicts that by 2035, over 4,600 cases of cancer diagnosed will be attributed to smoking.
• Almost half (49%) of current smokers tried to quit in the last year, with 23% successful in doing so.

The Marie Keating Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with Nicorette in support of the charity’s Survive and Thrive cancer survivorship programmes. The collaboration aims to empower cancer survivors nationwide to adapt to a new normal following a cancer diagnosis, while also emphasising the critical role of quitting smoking in reducing cancer risk.

Since 2014, the Foundation runs a number of eight-week Survive and Thrive programmes which provide holistic support to people who have completed their cancer treatment, helping them with the physical aspects of their journey while also addressing emotional and psychological well-being as well as other important factors in making longer term goals and objectives in life after cancer.  The programmes are free to attend for survivors of any type of cancer. The programmes are held in different locations around the country and can also be accessed on-line from anywhere in Ireland.

To further engage with our community, the Marie Keating Foundation is also inviting cancer survivors to share stories of their cancer journey, fostering a sense of solidarity and hope, with sign up details available in participating pharmacies across the country and at mariekeating.ie.

Marie Keating Foundation CEO Liz Yeates said: “We are so grateful to Nicorette for their continued support of the Marie Keating Foundation’s mission of making cancer less frightening by enlightening.  This is the third year of the partnership, and it is fitting that we are championing cancer survivorship as more people thankfully are surviving cancer. This year, the partnership will directly support our vital Survive and Thrive programmes, enhancing supports and resources available for cancer survivors, empowering participants to adapt to their ‘new normal’ after cancer.”

Marie Keating Foundation Director of Nursing Services Helen Forristal said: “Smoking remains the single biggest contributor to preventable disease and death in Ireland, accounting for 13% of cancer cases diagnosed in Ireland each year. Smoking increases the risk of 15 different types of cancer, including mouth, lung, breast, and bladder, and also increases the likelihood of other chronic illness such as heart disease and stroke. A core ethos of the Foundation is to be there at every step, and our nursing team works with people in communities across Ireland in raising cancer awareness and reducing cancer risk, including providing advice on smoking cessation and helping people take this important step for their health and wellbeing.”

For more information, please visit participating pharmacies nationwide or go to mariekeating.ie.

ENDS

Key Information about Smoking in Ireland:  

• Smoking accounts for 13% of the cancer cases diagnosed each year in Ireland.
• Tobacco is the leading global cause of preventable illness and death.
• Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide.
• Smoking is also responsible for other cancer diagnoses apart from lung cancer such as mouth, head and neck, breast cancer, bladder cancer and kidney cancer.
• The National Cancer Registry of Ireland predict that by 2035, over 4,600 cases of cancer diagnosed will be attributed to smoking. To reduces your risk, it is advised that you don’t smoke, and if you do, to quit.
• 18% of the population are current smokers, a figure that has remained stable over the past three years.
• Almost half (49%) of current smokers tried to quit in the last year, with 23% successful in doing so.
• According to the National Cancer Registry, there are more than 215,000 cancer survivors living in Ireland today.

Participating pharmacies and key dates 

McCauleys: 23/02/24 to 27/03/24
Lloyds: 26/02/24 to 29/03/24
Boots: 01/03/24 to 23/03/24
Hickey’s: 23/02/24 to 21/03/24
McCabes: 22/02/24 to 31/03/24
Allcare: 23/02/24 to 22/03/24
Life: 23/02/24 to 22/03/24
Haven: 20/02/24 to 31/03/24
Total Health: 20/02/24 to 31/03/24
Careplus: 01/03/24 to 31/03/24
Chemist Warehouse: 29/02/24 to 27/03/24
Independent Pharmacies nationwide: 25/03/24 to 10/05/24

Nicorette contains nicotine. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. Nicorette is a stop smoking aid. IE-NI-2400016