Varadkar appoints experts to review cancer strategy

A team of three international experts has been appointed by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar to evaluate Ireland's current national cancer strategy and provide advice for the next one.

The evaluation process is the first step in developing a third national cancer strategy, to run from 2016, and will be followed by a broad consultation process.

The current approach set out in A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland dates from 2006, and is credited with significant progress in providing cancer services. Services have been centralised in eight cancer centres across the State and screening programmes have been greatly expanded.

Mr Varadkar, who met the team today as they begin a series of meetings with stakeholders, said the expertise available in these centres was widely acknowledged across Ireland and the plan was to build on this in the future.

The group comprises Professor Pádraig Warde from Ontario, Professor Alison Richardson of Southampton, and Professor Harry de Koning of Rotterdam. All three are internationally recognised experts in the field of cancer.

“We are delighted that this group of distinguished cancer experts has agreed to evaluate our current cancer strategy and I extend my sincere thanks to them. Their research and advice will be invaluable in drafting the next national cancer strategy. I look forward to receiving their report,” Mr Varadkar said.