STUDY FINDS HIGH LEVELS OF SKIN CANCER IN GALWAY

Date Published: 09-Dec-2011

High levels of skin, head and neck cancers have been detected in Galway.

The findings are part of the first all-Ireland cancer atlas published today which examines 18 variations of the disease.

For men, the rates of head and neck cancer are particularly high in the county and in areas along the western seaboard.

Melanoma of the skin was also found to have a strong geographical pattern in Galway, with women in western parts of the county at most risk.

West Galway is also identified as one of the areas where cervical cancer poses a high risk.

The mapping variation also shows that breast cancer in the West is relatively low due to increased testing.

Dr. Harry Comber Director of the National Cancer Registry says the high levels of skin, head and neck cancers here may be due to outdoor lifestyles.