Cancer Outcomes in Ireland Remained Stable During Pandemic, Report Finds

Ireland’s cancer outcomes remained strong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite notable challenges to healthcare systems, according to a new report from the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI). The report, published on December 10, 2025, details cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates, and highlights the resilience of cancer services during a period of unprecedented strain.

Key findings from the report include:

* Stable Incidence: Cancer incidence rates remained relatively stable during the pandemic years, with no significant changes observed.
* Mortality Rates: Cancer mortality rates continued to decline, consistent with pre-pandemic trends.
* survival Rates: Survival rates for many common cancers remained consistent, indicating that the pandemic did not lead to a considerable deterioration in patient outcomes.
* Diagnostic Delays: the report acknowledges that the pandemic did cause some delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment, but these did not appear to have a major impact on overall survival.

“Ireland’s cancer outcomes stayed strong through one of the most difficult periods in modern healthcare,” the NCRI report states.

The NCRI attributes the stability of cancer outcomes to a number of factors, including the dedication of healthcare professionals, the implementation of innovative service delivery models, and the prioritization of cancer care throughout the pandemic.

The full report is available on the NCRI website: https://www.ncri.ie/