Irish Cancer Society Wants Tipperary To Get Cancer In 2017

The Irish Cancer Society has today launched its most startling campaign yet in order to highlight the staggering fact that by 2020, 1 in 2 of us will be getting cancer in our lifetime.

The I want to Get Cancer campaign is designed to get people talking about cancer and to highlight the supports available from the Irish Cancer Society as well as the steps everyone can take to reduce their chances of developing cancer in the future. Over 150 people a day are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland – that’s one person every 3 minutes, or 40,000 people a year.

Irish Cancer Society Wants Tipperary To Get Cancer In 2017

Pictured at the Irish Cancer Society’s I Want to Get Cancer campaign launch today were cancer survivors Louise McSharry, 2FM Broadcaster and Tony Ward, former rugby international and journalist. Photo Credit: Andres Poveda

Most recent data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland shows that more than 36,500 people were diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and 1,354 of these people are from Tipperary.

Recent figures also show that the most common cancers in Tipperary are: non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer.

Speaking at today’s I want to Get Cancer launch, Irish Cancer Society Head of Communications Gráinne O’Rourke said; “By now, most of the public will have seen or heard about our I want to Get Cancer campaign. Some people have been startled and upset – but hearing your doctor say the words ‘you have cancer’ is far more upsetting.

I want to Get Cancer is designed to be provocative, it has to be to save lives. For too long we have spoken about cancer in hushed tones and with a sense of fear and avoidance. Some people even think that cancer is inevitable. We want to change that. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer through lifestyle choices, and through research, early diagnosis, screening and better treatments, if you do get cancer, there is hope. At present, there are over 150,000 cancer survivors in Ireland, and that number is rising all the time.

“Thanks to advances in cancer research, 6 out of 10 cancer patients will survive to 5 years and beyond, double the survival rate of 40 years ago. While cancer is no longer a death sentence, we can’t get complacent about its devastating effects. Its physical and psychological impacts are immense but there is a lot of help and support available.

“Many of the people involved in our campaign have been affected by cancer. When they say they want to Get Cancer, they really mean it. And when the Irish Cancer Society says we won’t give up until cancer does, we mean it too.”

RTÉ 2fm broadcaster and cancer survivor Louise McSharry described what the campaign means to her:

“Being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 31 was shocking, but it opened my eyes. A disease I had never dreamed I would experience suddenly took over my life. I quickly realised that cancer knows no boundaries – it can happen to anyone at any time.

“Everyone thinks they’re aware of cancer, but it’s often not until your life is impacted by it that you begin to pay attention to what it really means to have this terrible disease. We have to change our attitudes to cancer. We have to talk about it and raise awareness.

“I’m lucky – I got out the right side of cancer, and now have a 3 month old son, something I didn’t think would be possible after my diagnosis. I never want him to have to experience the pain and worry I experienced with this disease. That’s why I want to Get Cancer.”

Commenting on the campaign, Professor Ray McDermott, Consultant Medical Oncologist added:

“As a practicing oncologist I’ve seen hundreds of cancer patients come through my clinic doors. So often the look on their faces is the same – fear, dread, worry, even anger. They want to Get Cancer as much as I do.

“There are more than 150,000 people living with and beyond cancer today in Ireland. But survival rates for individual cancers vary hugely. For example, while 90% of prostate cancer patients will survive for 5 years of more, just 13% of lung cancer patients will be as lucky. That’s why we have to Get Cancer.”

The Irish Cancer Society has been Getting Cancer for more than 50 years through our vital work. We’ve been doing this by helping those living with cancer, and stopping cancer in its tracks through investing in research. But we can’t do it alone. The Irish Cancer Society wants all of Ireland to join with us to Get Cancer:

Get Informed
We want the public to know all the facts about cancer. 4 out of 10 cancers can be prevented. By eating healthily, watching our weight and alcohol intake, taking regular exercise and not smoking, we can take a huge step in lowering our risk of cancer. Cancer.ie has all the advice you need when it comes to getting informed about cancer.

Get Support
If you or a loved one is fighting this devastating disease, we’re here to help you Get Cancer by providing support. Our Cancer Nurseline (Freephone 1800 200 700) offers information and advice from trained professionals, while our support services include night nursing, volunteer drivers, and one-to-one survivor support.

Get Involved
The Irish Cancer Society can’t Get Cancer without your help. Every year we rely on volunteers and donors to continue our essential work. We invest in vital research that finds ways to better prevent, detect and treat cancer and ensure that cancer survivors can live longer, better lives. We couldn’t do this without funds raised from the generous Irish public. Our volunteers across the country improve the lives of those living with cancer. They Get Cancer through giving their time to others.

To speak to a cancer nurse on any aspect of cancer contact our Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700, email cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie or drop into one of our 13 Daffodil Centre in hospitals nationwide. For information on Daffodil Centre locations and opening times email daffo

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