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Nine News: Sinead Crowley reports on reaction to the National Cancer Registry data predicting a sharp rise in the numbers of people suffering from cancer in 15 years' time
The National Cancer Registry has predicted that cancer numbers will double by the year 2020.
A report by the NCR published today indicates the numbers will increase from 22,000 a year at present to over 42,000 in the next 14 years.
And the number of potentially fatal cancers will more than double from 13,800 to 28,800 in the same period.
Some of the largest increases are expected in cancer of the prostate; kidney and melanoma.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's 5-7 Live, the Director of the National Cancer Registry, Dr Harry Comber, said about two-thirds of the increase is expected to be due to the increasing number of elderly people in the population.
