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Frequently asked questions
What is cancer?
Cancer is when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way. Some cancers may eventually spread into other tissues. There are more than 200 different types of cancer. The five most common cancers in Ireland are Non melanoma skin cancer (the most common and treatable form of skin cancer), prostate cancer, breast cancer, bowel cancer and lung cancer.
1 in 3 people in the Ireland will get cancer in their lifetime.
However, thanks to early detection and improvements in treatments, many people are cured. There are now over 120,000 cancer survivors in Ireland.
What causes cancer?
Many factors can affect a person’s risk for getting cancer. Some of these are preventable and some of them are not. It is thought that 4 in 10 cancers could be prevented through lifestyle change. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet and keeping a healthy weight
- Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day
- Not smoking
- Reducing your alcohol intake
- Reducing your expose to UV rays- this means being SunSmart, wearing SPF and never using sun beds
There are some factors that cause cancer that we cannot change such as our family history. Some inherited faulty genes can increase your risk of cancer. If you think that cancer may run in your family, talk it through with your GP. Genetic testing is available for some of these faulty genes.
Do more men get cancer than women?
Yes. During the years 2011 to 2013, there were approximately 18,570 invasive cancers a year in Ireland. Men accounted for more than 9,800 of these cancers which means that the incidence rate for all invasive cancers was 26% higher in men than in women.
Is a man more likely to get cancer than a woman?
Yes. In Ireland, men have a 1 in 3 chance of being diagnosed with cancer over the course of their life while women have a 1 in 4 chance of being diagnosed with cancer.
However, there are things you can do to reduce your cancer risk, like keeping a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet, not smoking, getting 30 minutes of exercise a day and ensuring that you are SunSmart. There is more information about reducing your cancer risk on our Your Health: Your Choice page.
Is cancer more common now than it used to be?
Yes and cancer rates are continuing to rise each year. However, there is also good news because more and more people are surviving cancer than ever before. There are now thought to be 124,000 cancer survivors in Ireland. This is because we are getting better at early detection and because we have better treatments than ever. So if you are diagnosed with cancer, or someone you know is, don’t loose heart. You can read stories of 14 men who have come through prostate cancer as part of our Heroes of Hope campaign here. You can also read stories of women who have survived breast cancer as part of Out the Other Side which we created in partnership with Roche.
What are the most common cancers for men in Ireland?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer for both men and women in Ireland. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Ireland. Other common cancers affecting men include lung cancer, bowel cancer and testicular cancer.
Can I do anything to reduce my risk of cancer?
Yes. About 4 in 10 cancers could be prevented if we made healthier lifestyle choices. The Marie Keating Foundation has a section on its website called Your Health: Your Choice which has lots of information about how unhealthy choices can lead to cancer and what simple steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk but in short, the best things to do are:
- Eat a healthy diet and keep a healthy weight
- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day
- Don’t smoke
- Reduce your alcohol intake
- Reduce your expose to UV rays- this means being SunSmart, wearing SPF and never using sun beds
What is the leading cause of death of men in Ireland?
While heart disease is the leading cause of death in Ireland, cancer is the second most common cause of death.
A lot of the steps that you can take to reduce your risk of cancer will also reduce your risk of heart disease- such as not smoking, eating a healthy diet and keeping a healthy weight and ensuring that you exercise.
What cancer is the most deadly for men in Ireland?
Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. It caused 23% of cancer deaths in men during the period 2011-2012 according to the National Cancer Register.
Is there a link between alcohol and cancer?
Yes, alcohol causes seven types of cancer including mouth and bowel cancers. When you drink alcohol, cancer-causing chemicals are formed. Alcohol also affects hormone levels and makes cells even more likely to be damaged by smoking.
The less alcohol you drink, the lower the risk of cancer. No type of alcohol is better or worse than another, it is the alcohol itself that leads to the damage, regardless of whether it is in wine, beer or spirits. And drinking and smoking together are even worse for you.
