A diagnosis rate of 38% has been achieved at Rapid Access Prostate Cancer Clinics in their first year of operation.
Figures released by the National Cancer Control Programme show that 2,460 men were seen in the clinics, established in 2011, with 925 men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
That figure is expected to increase significantly in 2012 with all eight Rapid Access Clinics open and fully operational.
By September this year, 1,804 men had attended the clinics with 750 men diagnosed.
NCCP Director Dr Susan O’Reilly said the diagnosis rate illustrates that the clinics are providing a good service that fast tracks patients into the system.
She was speaking at the Inaugural National Cancer Control Programme Prostate Cancer Quality and Audit Forum.
She said: "For the vast majority of men who do not have cancer, that short timeframe reduces the anxiety that any waiting period involves.
"And for those men who are diagnosed, their treatment options are discussed and considered by an expert multi-disciplinary team who ensure that the patient is given all the options and all the information on the best approach to be taken."
Over 2,800 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually in Ireland, with this number expected to increase over the coming decades as the population ages.
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