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

26,528
Invasive tumours xNMSC per year
10,258
Deaths per year
1 in 2
Lifetime risk

Most common

Prostate
Breast
Lung
Colorectal

: Men
Prostate: 32%
Colorectal: 12%
Lung: 11%

: Women
Breast: 33%
Lung: 11%
Colorectal: 10%

Deaths in Ireland

Top causes of death as per recent report

Lung
Breast
Colorectal
Prostate

: Men
Lung: 20%
Prostate: 12%
Colorectal: 11%

: Women
Lung: 20%
Breast: 16%
Colorectal: 10%

Annual Statistical Report | 2026

Cancer in Ireland 1994-2023

An average of 46,800 tumours were diagnosed each year during 2020-2023. The majority of these (26,500) were life-changing invasive cancers.

On average 10,300 people died each year from cancer during 2020-2023. One in five deaths were due to lung cancer.

Survival rates for some cancers can be as high as 95% five years after diagnosis

More than 30 years of NCRI data show sustained improvements in cancer survival and reduced mortality

Cancer in Ireland 1994-2023

More about this report

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