This article is from page 2 of the 2006-11-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
SIGNIFICANTLY more people in the Feakle area are presenting with cancer than the national average.
According to a report published by the HSE, ‘Cancer in the Mid-West 1994-2002’, the cases of cancer in the Electoral District of Boherglass were significantly higher than the national rate, while Kilnamona, Kilshanny and Kyle were found to have cancer incident rates significantly higher than the rate for the Mid West.
Leukaemia was found to be significantly higher than the national average in five areas in Clare – Gleninagh (Ballyvaughan area), Ballyea, Drumellihy (Kilrush area), Derrynagittagh (Feakle/Scarriff area) and Ogonelloe.
For all cancers combined, and for all common cancers other than leukaemia, the incidence in the MWHB area was lower than the national average.
For most of the cancer types, the difference from the national average was statistically significant.
Breast cancer was more prevalent in Ballagh (Ennistymon area) and Ballynacally than nationally, while ovarian cancer is higher than the national average in Kilmihil and Cratloe.
The report also found that cases of cervical cancer were higher in Lisdoonvarna than nationally, while pancreatic cancer was higher in Kilnamona and Killimer.
Cases of lymphoma cancer were above the national average in Kilmurry and Tullig. The number of cases of colorectal cancer in Cooraclare was significantly higher relative to the Mid West average.
Lisheen and Mountshannon had a significantly high rate of cases of prostate cancer relative to the Mid West average.
Lung cancer cases were above the national and Mid West average only in Ballynacally.
Meanwhile, a Clare county counillor has called for the abolition of charges for the testing of radon, because Irish deaths from lung cancer resulting from exposure to the gas are among the highest in the world.
Internationally, between six and 15 per cent of deaths from lung cancer can be attributed to exposure to radon, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In Ireland, 13 per cent of lung cancer deaths are blamed on the gas. Clare has been identified as a high risk zone.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP), called on the Government to drop the €50 charge for radon testing in high risk areas, including Clare.
Cllr Meaney said, “Charging €50 for a radon test means that many households are simply not getting their homes checked.
“I am asking Government to take a small practical step to reduce the risk from this naturally occurring radioactive gas.”