One-in-six attendees of cancer information event had not seen a GP in over a year

Seven-in-ten people who attended a health information event with the Irish Cancer Society last year had concerns about signs linked to the disease, while one-in-six had not seen a GP in over a year.

The charity is urging the public to continue to get any symptoms of concern checked out in 2025, as it revealed that 27,300 people engaged with its ‘Your Health Matters’ roadshow at 26 locations last year.

The initiative offers free health checks from cancer nurses across the country. More than 1,950 health consultations took place at the roadshows in 2024.

“The roadshows are an important tool for helping with the early detection of cancer,” said the charity’s cancer prevention manager Kevin O’Hagan.

“People attending the roadshows had a wide range of concerns ranging from risks of cancer, diagnosis, treatment and support after treatment. Feedback from the nurses at the roadshows indicated that 70 per cent of people who attended were concerned about signs and symptoms of cancer, and 14 per cent had a family member or loved one with cancer.

“Many people reported that they had not been to their GP for some time. For 16 per cent, it was more than a year since they last saw their GP, 40 per cent up to a year, and three per cent did not have a GP, so they were very grateful for the opportunity to speak with a cancer nurse,” he added.

“We are urging people with any worrying symptoms to go to their GP and get them checked out. If you’ve noticed any unexplained weight loss, a new lump or a persistent cough, make it your New Year’s resolution to get it addressed and find out what’s causing it.

“We know that the early detection of cancer is vital and saves lives, and healthcare services are there for you and will help you to uncover what is causing your symptoms.

“Screening programmes like BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, and BowelScreen are another valuable tool that help to pick up cancer early in people who may be showing no other symptoms, so it is vital that those who are eligible attend for screening when they are invited.”