Judge fears women will die while waiting on court date
Call for action as data shows cases of disease may double by 2045
CANCER cases could double by 2045 unless changes are made, it was warned yesterday.
The Irish Cancer Society said immediate action must be taken to stop this projection becoming a reality and the figures are a “wake-up call”.
The group was responding to data set out in the Annual Report of the National Cancer Registry.
ICS chief Averil Power said: “While these projections are stark, they need not become a reality. By improving our lifestyles and availing of free screening each of us can dramatically reduce our risk of getting cancer.
“Four in 10 cancers are preventable. We can all reduce our risk by eating healthily, WOMEN suing over the Cervicalcheck scandal may die before their case is heard, a High Court judge has warned.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross is calling for more judges to be appointed to the High Court to deal with the personal injuries list which has been swamped with complex cases.
He said without more judges on the bench he did not know how they could get all the cases heard and warned “great injustices will be caused” – particularly for those “in extremis”.
The judge made the comment as he was hearing an application to have the case of a woman suing over her Cervicalcheck case managed as her health is failing.
Mr Justice Cross said: “It is sad to think people will have passed away before their cases are dealt with.”
SCANDAL
He discussed the matter with “higher authorities” as it’s not going to be possible to deal with the number of cases coming in relation to the Cervicalcheck scandal, breast cancer and the swine flu vaccine as each will take six weeks.
In court yesterday, Mr Justice Cross was told the legal team for Ruth Morrissey, whose case was adjourned after hearing her evidence and that of her husband Paul last July, are seeking more discovery from the defendant laboratories in the action.
The 37-year-old Limerick mother, who is battling cancer, is suing over the alleged misinterpretation of her smears taken under the Cervicalcheck screening programme in 2009 and 2012.
Mr and Mrs Morrissey sued the HSE and the US laboratory Quest Diagnostics Ireland Ltd and Medlab Pathology Ltd.
The HSE admitted it owed a duty of care to Ms Morrissey but not to her husband and admits the results of her smear reviews should have been made known to her. The laboratories deny all claims. exercising and limiting our alcohol intake. The Government must ensure the prevention recommendations in the National Cancer Strategy are fully implemented. This would empower people to make healthy choices, while increasing early detection and improving outcomes.”