Figures released to Peadar Tóibin have shown a steep decline in the number of cancer surgeries in 2021 as the Covid lockdown continued.
The Aontú leader described the revelation as “really troubling”, and said that the number of diagnoses which were missed or delayed as a result of the closure of our screening services needed to be investigated.
Mr Tóibín said the information was only made available after he submitted questions to the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on the subject – through a mechanism known as parliamentary questions which TDs can use to elicit written responses from the government.
That showed that the number of people undergoing surgical oncology was 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The number of patients receiving radiation treatment for cancer between January and November 2021 was also down 15% on activity from 2019 – and the number of people receiving chemotherapy was 5% lower.
Deputy Tóibín said: “It is really troubling to see that the number of patients undergoing surgical oncology was down by a massive 20% last year.
The Aontú leaser was diagnosed with cancer during the lockdown. “Like many others, I delayed going to the doctor because of the restrictions. I’m now recovered while still going for regular check-ups, but I’m one of the lucky ones,” he said.
Paul Gordon said of the Irish Cancer Society told the Irish Examiner:
“We know that up to 14% less cancer cases were diagnosed in 2020, so it is absolutely essential that our health services are properly resourced to deal with extra demand from those not diagnosed in 2020 and 2021 as we move out of the emergency phase of the pandemic.”
“The Irish Cancer Society has for some time been highlighting the need to bolster cancer services in preparation for a ‘catch-up’ trend for patients whose diagnosis may be delayed due to the pandemic, and these figures highlight the challenges this is posing for cancer treatment in particular.”
Mr Tóibín said his party has repeatedly called for the Government to open up the health service during the Covid crisis, arguing that the extent of the shutdown would have detrimental effects on public wellbeing in regard to many other conditions.
He said that cancer services were essential services and that screening services like CervicalCheck and BreastCheck were all completely paused for significant periods of time.
Last year – a year into the lockdown – an Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Deputy Tóibín to “get real” when he called for a full resumption of cancer services.
The Taoiseach was visibly annoyed by Peadar Tóibín TD’s request that the government guarantee the immediate return of “full cancer services.”
Deputy Tóibín told the Dáil that “480 people will get cancer today. Tragically 24 people are likely to die of cancer today.”
“Late diagnosis, late treatment will lead to radically more advanced cancers coming into the system, and this will lead to greater levels of morbidity and it will lead to greater levels of death,” the Aontú leader explained.
“Why have the government reduced cancer services when the need is so important at the moment? And can the government guarantee that full cancer services will return immediately?” he asked the Taoiseach.
Micheal Martin said he found Tóibín’s “rhetoric extraordinary”, asking if he realised the country was in a “global pandemic.”
“No government has premeditatively decided to reduce cancer services. Like, get real. Get bloody well realistic,” the Taoiseach retorted.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t use the word ‘bloody’, but I just think it’s a bit much. I just genuinely do think it’s a bit much, through the chair.