How to tell someone you have epilepsy

The National Cancer Registry of Ireland has released its 22^nd annual statistical report. This report  summarises cancer incidence, mortality and survival in Ireland for the period 1994-2015, and provides projected estimates for incidence for the most recent three-year period: 2015-2017.  The cumulative lifetime risk (to age 75 years) of an invasive cancer diagnosis was approximately 1 in 3 for men and 1 in 4 for women. The absolute risk difference between the most and least deprived 20% of the population was highest for pancreatic (+14%), lung (+9%), colon (+8%), oesophageal (+8%), and ovarian cancers (+7%). Age-standardized rates of all invasive cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)) were 26% higher in men than in women. Overall, taking the first recorded invasive cancer (exc. NMSC) for each patient, the proportion of cases presenting as an emergency was 15% (of all cases whose admission type was known). The cancers with the highest proportion of emergency presentation were: pancreas (34%), lung (26%), ovary (24%) and colon (22%). For all cancer types, patients resident in the most deprived areas were more likely to present as an emergency. For all cancers examined, relative differences by deprivation were substantial, with patients from the most deprived group 25%-67% more likely to present as emergencies, depending on the cancer type (54% for all cancers combined). Similar data on cancer in Northern Ireland is available here.

People living with depression is increasing

The number of people living with depression is increasing, 18% between 2005 and 2015.  In the lead-up to World Health Day on 7 April, which this year will focus on this increasingly important issue, WHO is releasing today a new global report on health estimates on depression.  This report provides latest available estimates of the prevalence of depression and other common mental disorders at the global and regional level, together with data concerning the consequences of these disorders in terms of lost health.  Reliable, up-to-date estimates of the proportion of a general population affected by different diseases or health conditions is a key ingredient of effective health policy, planning and evaluation.

Cancer cases among women are rising six times faster than in men, according to new research.

According to Cancer Research UK, unhealthy lifestyles are responsible for the rise in cancer cases among both sexes - but women are bearing the brunt of the increase.  Obesity is one of the factors that can increase the risk of cancers that only affect women, such as womb cancer and ovarian cancer.  Cervical and oral cancers are also on the rise in women.  Smoking rates are now falling across the UK - but lung cancer figures are beginning to reflect women who took up the habit over recent decades.  The charity says that cancer rates will continue to climb nearly six times faster in women than men over the next 20 years. 

European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Women aged 25 to 60 across Ireland are being urged this week to look after their health by making sure they’re up to date with their free smear test to help prevent cervical cancer.  The campaign marks the beginning of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which takes place from January 24th to 30th.  Regular cervical screening can detect changes to the cervix early.  Most of the changes detected will not lead to cervical cancer but early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous cells can prevent cancer developing in most cases.