Breast cancer is now the second most common form of cancer diagnosed in this State, according to figures released today by the National Cancer Registry.
The figures which cover 1994 to 2002, show breast cancer has overtaken both lung and colorectal cancer as the most frequently observed form of the disease behind non-melanoma skin cancer.
The Registry's report shows the incidence of cancer in the Republic continues to rise, increasing at a rate of 1.5 per cent annually.
However, the number of deaths from the disease is increasing at a slower rate suggesting earlier detection and better treatment.
Alarmingly the figures show the rate of bowel cancer among men is now the second highest in the EU.
Men are twice as likely to die of bowel cancer than women, which experts put down to a high fat diet.
Also on the increase was the rate of lung cancer among women which was shown to be rising at three per cent.
The report shows 7,651 people died of cancer in 1999, accounting for approximately one-quarter of all deaths in that year, making it the single largest cause of death.
Lung cancer is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths at 19 per cent, while breast cancer was the most common cause of cancer death for women at 18 per cent.
The impact of the disease is greatest on the young and middle-aged women. More than one half of all deaths in women aged between 40 and 60 were due to cancer.
The report estimates over 21,000 Irish people will develop cancer this year and 7,800 will die of the disease.
Welcoming the report, the Minister for Health, Mr Micheal Martin, said the statistics in relation to lung cancer "reaffirm the need for full and complete implementation" of the proposed ban on smoking in the workplace.
Mr Martin complimented the Registry on its work saying the data provided "a major element in developing a comprehensive cancer policy."
