Older people are much less likely to receive treatment for cancer, according to a report from the National Cancer Registry (NCR) on the incidence and treatment of the disease in Ireland.
The report says that patients between 70-79 received a half to a third of the treatment given to patients aged between 50-59, for most treatment types and common cancers.
Dr Harry Comber, director of the NCR, told ireland.comthat it was not clear the reasons behind this fact and that it was probably a combination of factors.
"Most cancer treatments can be quite difficult and as people get older they become less fit and less able to recover from treatments such as major surgery," he said.
He pointed out that older people are more likely to be admitted to smaller hospitals, which may not have a full range of treatments, and be diagnosed later than younger people.
"Both these factors will limit the treatments which are available to older patients," Dr Comber added.
The report also highlighted geographical difference in the incidences of certain cancers. Lung cancer was 30 per cent more common in Kildare and Dublin than the rest of the country. "This is due to a higher rate of smoking in the east," said Dr Comber.
"The higher incidence of head and neck cancer, primarily lip cancer, in Connacht is due primarily to the large number of people in the agriculture and fishing industries," he added.
The incidence of breast cancer was significantly higher in Dublin and Westmeath - where the state's screening service Breastcheck is operating. Linda Sharp, a researcher with the registry, said they would be carrying out studies to explain the geographical patterns behind higher amounts of cancer in certain parts of the country.
Dr Comber warned the health service must do more to tackle the most common major cancer - bowel cancer - with 1,821 cases a year.
He said there are strategies in place to tackle three of the four most common major cancers - breast, lung and prostate, but added: "For colorectal cancer there is nothing."
Dr Comber said the registry had emphasised there were many ways to tackle bowel cancer through dietary changes, lifestyle, screening and specialised facilities.
"At the moment we don't have any specific approach to colorectal cancer and over the next few years it is something that needs to be thought about," he said.
The registry has launched a major cross-border investigation on the massive 6 per cent increase in the rates of prostate cancer - with the highest incidence in the south-west of the country. "We're not sure yet but part of the reason may be more screening in that area," said Dr Comber.