Cancer society to expand services

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has today announced it is expanding its information service by setting up at least five Daffodil Centres in hospitals nationwide this year.

The announcement comes as the ICS announced is 23rd Daffodil Day campaign in Dublin.

A cancer nurse, funded by the society, will run these centres and will be supported by trained volunteers, addressing the information and support needs of those concerned about cancer and accompanying people to appointments or treatments as necessary.

The Irish Cancer Society’s first and pilot Daffodil Centre was opened in Galway University Hospital in July 2009.

Commenting, John McCormack, CEO Irish Cancer Society, said: "It is well documented that the biggest gap in the delivery of cancer information is at the point of diagnosis within the hospital and in providing a link to the support centres or groups in the community enabling a continuum of care as the patient progresses through the cancer journey.”

The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) estimates that up to 30,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer during 2010 and new cases of cancer are expected to reach over 43,000 new cases in the year 2020.

The biggest risk factor for developing cancer is increasing age followed by lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor diet and inactivity. However, the ICS noted very high cure rates cancer be achieved in many cancers.

The ICS today announced details of its 23rd Daffodil Day campaign. Daffodil Day 2010 will take place on Friday 26th March across the county. The target is €4 million and all monies raised will be channelled in to the provision of free direct patient care services for people with cancer and their families.

Among other services, the ICS provided nearly 7,000 nights of care to almost 1,700 families in 2009, an increase up from 5,700 nights in 2008, and gave financial aid to 1,260 people (up from 1,031 people in 2008) to the value of over €700,000.

The cancer society's freefone helpline is 1800 200 700.