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Cancer in Ireland

Cancer is a major public health issue and is the leading cause of death in adults in Ireland, with an estimated 1 in 2 individuals expected to receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. As the Irish population grows and ages, the number of people diagnosed with invasive cancer every year is expected to grow by between 50% and 100% over the 30-year period from 2015 to 2045. NCRI's comprehensive cancer data provides vital statistics and insights to inform research, enhance public health initiatives, and improve patient outcomes across Ireland.

Statistics from NCRI's most recent report

  • 24,207
    Invasive tumours xNMSC per year
  • 9,797
    Deaths per year
  • 1 in 2
    Lifetime risk

Most common

  • Prostate
  • Breast
  • Lung
  • Colorectal

Men

Prostate
32%
Colorectal
11%
Lung
10%

Women

Breast
32%
Lung
11%
Colorectal
9%

Deaths in Ireland

Top causes of death as per recent report
  • Lung
  • Breast
  • Colorectal
  • Prostate

Men

Lung
21%
Prostate
12%
Colorectal
11%

Women

Lung
20%
Breast
17%
Colorectal
10%
Urological Cancers Report

Urological Cancers Report | 2026

2026

Improved survival rates 

across urological cancers 

Case numbers have risen over time

driven by Ireland’s ageing population 

Incidence rates for most urological cancers

have decreased or remained stable 

Rapid Access Prostate Clinics have reshaped

how and where men are assessed

There has been a shift toward less‑invasive

organ‑preserving treatments

2026

Covid 19 Report cover

Covid - 19 Impact Report | 2025

2025

No consistent rise in late-stage cancers 

was observed following the pandemic

Survival rates for all cancer sites 

in 2020–2021 remained in line with previous years

Cancer diagnoses did drop sharply (27%) in early 2020 

as Covid-19 disrupted health services

The health system reconfigured quickly during the pandemic and recovered quickly

 

By 2022 the number of diagnosed cases had returned to expected levels

2025