Louthrecords589 newcancercases

ALMOST half of the new cancer cases in Louth last year were a diagnosis of skin cancer, shocking new figures have revealed.

The Irish Cancer Society published data for 2019, showing there were 589 new cancer cases in Louth. A total of 283 of these were patients who had been diagnosed with skin cancer.

A further 93 cases were Prostate cancer, while 85 facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

There were 76 people diagnosed with bowel cancer, and 72 lung cancer cases in the same year.

The figures emerged as the Irish Cancer Society is urged people to remember and pay tribute to those affected by cancer in 2020, including the 9,000 people who lost their lives.

The society lit up 9,000 lights on its Christmas tree to commemorate all those who passed away, and to show support for the 44,000 people nationwide who received a cancer diagnosis in 2020.

Conor King, Irish Cancer Society’s Acting CEO said ‘As 2020 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been an extremely difficult year for cancer patients and their families. It has been a year where cancer patients were forced to stay apart from friends and family when they badly needed emotional support, where treatment plans were changed and patients attended appointments alone.

‘We remember the 9,000 people, that’s 25 people every day, who died from cancer, and pay tribute to all those who heard the words ‘you have cancer’ this year.

‘Although this has been an unprecedented year for the cancer community in Ireland, with thanks to the continued generosity of the Irish public, we have been able to continue to provide vital services to cancer patients, when they need it most. Ensuring that nobody in Ireland has to face cancer alone.’

The 2019 figures also showed that the support received from donations helped to provide 198 nights of night nursing care for 52 patients in Louth, and also 54 trips for treatment for 10 patients, through the Volunteer Driver Service programme.

There were also 366 free counselling sessions provided for 57 people in the same year.

A further 235 Louth people sought the help of the Daffodil centres, and the cancer nurseline,

The Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line is available to help anyone affected by or with a concern about cancer.

You can contact the Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email supportline@irishcancer.ie.

To learn more about how you can support cancer patients across Ireland, visit www.cancer.ie