Oncologist: Disruption To Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment Could Increase Mortality For The Next Decade.

Tuesday, 25 May 2021 11:47

20 percent of consultant posts are not filled,

An oncologist is warning recent disruption to cancer diagnosis and treatment could increase mortality for "next decade".

Professor Seamus O'Reilly says 73 additional consultant oncologists will be needed to meet demand on services.

Prior to Covid-19, cancer diagnoses were increasing by 5 percent per year.

Seamus O'Reilly, Consultant Oncologist at Cork University Hospital says delays to diagnosis could mean worse outcomes for some patients:

🚨 Consultant medical oncologist Professor Seamus O’Reilly @Seamusoreilly18 has warned that disruption to diagnosis and treatment due to the #Covid19 pandemic could increase cancer mortality for the ‘next decade’. #CareCantWait @StephenDonnelly @davidcullinane pic.twitter.com/ovj2JW2FRF
— IHCA (@IHCA_IE) May 25, 2021

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association 20 percent of consultant posts are not filled, meaning patients have to wait longer for treatment.

Professor O'Reilly, says the recent cyber-attack has made catching up on the backlog more difficult:

More from National News

Local Property Tax Deadline Extended To Wednesday

Revenue says there has been strong engagement from property owners ahead of the original deadline, which was today.
Lawless Rejects Claim He Let Apprenticeship Exam Leak Scandal "Fester"

He said the leaking of exam materials is “entirely unacceptable” and insists he acted decisively to protect the integrity of the system.
Three Teenagers Arrested In Connection With Rioting At Citywest Hotel Last Month

The latest arrests bring the total number of people detained in connection with the disorder to 36.
Alleged Admissions Row Ignites Between Leixlip Schools Over Irish V English Language Pathways

In a letter issued to parents, Coláiste Chiaráin claimed that the Board of Management at Scoil Uí Dhálaigh has decided to stop the school from speaking to its 6th class pupils this year.
BreastCheck To Fall Short Of Screening Target For Third Year Running

Audio

219,000 women, aged between 50 and 69, are due to be examined for early signs of breast cancer, however, only 170,000 screenings are expected to be carried out by the end of the year.
Kildare Woman Forced To Urinate In Car Park As TD Pushes Law For ‘No Wait’ Toilet Access

Audio

Speaking to Kfm, Kildare woman Maria Crowe, who lives with a painful bladder condition, has to use a toilet every thirty minutes, day and night.
Dublin Jersey Among Tributes To Ryan Weir Gibbons - Death “Unnecessary And Tragic” Says Priest

Items reflecting his life and personality were brought to the altar, including a Dublin GAA jersey, his wallet and phone, a baseball cap, a can of Monster, and a cigarette and lighter - with mourners told he loved a “sneaky cigarette”.
Three Decades Later, Search For Answers In Jo Jo Dullard Case Continues

Audio

Jo Jo was last seen in Moone on November 10th 1995, after missing her bus home and hitching lifts.