People are dying unnecessarily of cancer because of the lack of radiotherapy and other facilities throughout the State, a protest calling for cancer care services was told at the weekend.
The march in Dublin from Parnell Square to the Dáil was organised by the Cancer Care Alliance comprised of cancer groups, the Irish Cancer Society, trade unions and medical and nursing organisations. Over 500 people attended.
Protesters from all over the State accused the Government of indifference to the issue, and of abandoning the 336 families per week who have a member newly diagnosed with the disease.
A spokeswoman for the alliance, Ms Jane Bailey, a nurse from the south-east, said: "People are dying because the Government is writing off cancer treatment, and only 20 per cent of cancer patients are receiving radiotherapy when the take-up should be 66 per cent."
The demonstrators condemned the lack of funding for breast-screening, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care.
Ms Bailey said only €23.5 million had been given to the 11 health boards for cancer services this year, compared to €161 million to sporting organisations. "One in four people die of cancer, and that is 136 people each week.
"That figure is set to double as people grow older, and unequal access and the lack of facilities continue. The Government is sitting back and allowing people to die," she said.
She described the Taoiseach's call for world-class facilities at Lansdowne Road as "absolutely gross" when people were not even receiving the most basic treatment for cancer.
Cancer Care Alliance is now pressing for a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Ministers for Finance and Health.