{"id":400097,"date":"2026-03-23T18:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/400097\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T18:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:53:12","slug":"expert-shares-five-most-common-cancers-and-how-to-spot-their-warning-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/400097\/","title":{"rendered":"Expert shares five most common cancers and how to spot their warning signs"},"content":{"rendered":"

We speak to Sonya Carr, a cancer nurse with the Irish Cancer Society, about the signs and symptoms of the most common forms of cancer in Ireland\"Sonya<\/p>\n

Sonya Carr, Cancer Awareness Nurse with the Irish Cancer Society<\/p>\n

It might be hard to believe, but in Ireland, one in two people will receive a cancer diagnosis<\/a> in their lifetime. \u201cAbout 44,000 people this year will receive that diagnosis,\u201d says Sonya Carr, a cancer nurse with the Irish Cancer Society.<\/a> \u201cEvery three minutes, somebody will hear the phrase \u2018you\u2019ve got cancer<\/a> \u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the numbers may seem high, more cancers are being diagnosed due to early detection, screening and advances in medicine, but there are also better treatment options which has lead to more people surviving cancer than ever before.<\/p>\n

Here, we look at the five most commonly diagnosed cancers in Ireland in more detail.<\/p>\n

Skin cancer<\/p>\n

There are just over 11,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in Ireland each year. \u201cThere are two types: melanoma skin cancer and non melanoma skin cancer. Non melanoma is more common, with just over 10,000 cases of this each year. There are two types of non-melanoma skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma,\u201d Sonya explains. Meanwhile, with melanoma, there are roughly 1,200 cases each year. Melanoma can affect anyone with any skin tone.<\/p>\n

When it comes to our skin, any changes in shape, size, colour and thickness should always be investigated. Similarly, any new moles or marks that haven\u2019t been there before should be checked as well.<\/p>\n

Sonya advises people to routinely check their skin to see if there\u2019s been any changes. \u201cIt\u2019s about knowing what\u2019s normal for you. If you have any changes to your skin, to new or existing moles or new or existing marks, take a photo of it. Then if it changes you can compare. Any changes in your skin at all, go to your doctor to get it checked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prostate cancer<\/p>\n

About 4,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year, equating to one in six men. Symptoms men should watch out for include peeing more often, especially at night, having trouble peeing, weaker flow, feeling like the bladder hasn\u2019t been completely emptied, or straining to empty the bladder, Sonya says.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the less common symptoms of prostate cancer are blood in the pee or semen, back or bone pain, weight loss and feeling tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sonya says that sometimes, there can be no symptoms of prostate cancer, which is why it\u2019s important for men to get regular prostate checks. \u201cIf there\u2019s a family history of prostate cancer, men over 40 should chat to their GP about doing a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If there\u2019s no family history, men from the age of 50 onwards should be chatting to their doctor about PSA. Your GP may also do a digital rectal examination.\u201d<\/p>\n

Breast cancer<\/p>\n

Roughly 3,500 cases of breast cancer are detected each year in Ireland, meaning one in seven women will get this form of cancer during their lifetime. \u201cMen can also get breast cancer, usually 30-35 men are diagnosed each year. Anybody who has breast tissue can get breast cancer,\u201d Sonya explains.<\/p>\n

Symptoms to watch out for include a lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, a change in the size or shape of the breast, a change in the skin of the breast, such as puckering, dimpling or orange peel like texture, and a breast abscess or infected boils which are red or tender.<\/p>\n

\u201cChanges in the nipple can also be a symptom, these changes could be the nipple becoming inverted when it wasn\u2019t before or the nipple becoming flattened, a discharge from the nipple which can be watery or blood stained, or a rash or flaky or crusted skin around the nipple,\u201d Sonya explains.<\/p>\n

Swelling in the armpit and along the collarbone should also be checked. \u201cThe breast tissue extends under the armpit. People over 18 should regularly check their own breasts for any changes. There is a video on cancer.ie which explains how to do self breast examinations. Get to know what is normal for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lung cancer<\/p>\n

Lung cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ireland. There are just over 2,500 cases diagnosed each year. \u201cLung cancer is the type of cancer that causes the most deaths in Ireland,\u201d Sonya adds.<\/p>\n

Things to watch out for include wheezing, difficulties breathing, and a cough that doesn\u2019t go away.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you already have a cough, and it\u2019s changed, get that checked out. Repeated chest infections that don\u2019t go away despite taking antibiotics is also a warning sign. If you cough up blood stained phlegm or sputum, or have pain in the chest, especially when you cough or breathe in, that should also be investigated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Swelling in the face and neck, difficulty swallowing, feeling more tired than usual or a loss of appetite and weight loss can also be symptoms.<\/p>\n

Bowel cancer<\/p>\n

In Ireland each year, there\u2019s roughly 2,500 cases of bowel cancer diagnosed. \u201cPeople should look out for changes in their poo that last longer than three weeks for no apparent reason. These changes can be constipation, diarrhoea or both.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feeling of not emptying your bowel completely after having a bowel movement, needing to poo more or less often than usual, blood in your poo which may look red or black, bleeding from the rectum, tummy pain, feeling a lump in the tummy, feeling bloated, losing weight and feeling very tired for no reason and feeling breathless are all symptoms of bowel cancer,\u201d Sonya adds.<\/p>\n

Prevention<\/p>\n

There are some things we can do to help us lower our risk of getting cancer, Sonya explains. \u201cLifestyle factors are things we can change. We should be mindful of our diet, so processed foods, in particular processed meats, should be reduced. We should also increase our fibre intake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Exercise is also very important. \u201cPeople should aim to get 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. That can look different for everyone. For some people, that might be done in five minute blocks spaced out throughout the day and week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alcohol consumption is linked to a number of different cancers, so people should be mindful of how much they drink and make sure they stay within the recommended limits. \u201cIf somebody smokes, they should try to give it up, and don\u2019t substitute it with vaping. The HSE runs a good programme on Quit.ie<\/a>, and they provide nicotine replacement therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Screening is also very important, and in Ireland there are three free screening programmes: BowelCheck, CervicalCheck and BreastCheck.<\/p>\n

People aged 58 and older can avail of BowelCheck, which involves a free screening kit being sent to the person\u2019s home. The person collects a small sample of their poo and sends it off to be analysed. People can ring 1800 454 45 55 or visit bowelscreen.ie to learn more.<\/p>\n

Women over 25 can avail of CervicalCheck. \u201cPeople should check that they are on the register and they will need to visit their GP or practice nurse for this appointment.\u201d<\/p>\n

BreastCheck is for women over 50. \u201cWomen generally get screened with a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast. People can ring 1800 454 45 55 or visit breastcheck.ie for more information.\u201d<\/p>\n

While screening is very important, Sonya says people should be aware of their own bodies and know what is normal for them. \u201cIf anything changes, please go to your doctor, as early detection is key.\u201d<\/p>\n

While 44,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Ireland this year, early detection and implementing lifestyle changes could cut this number by almost 20,000 in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe earlier things are picked up, the better the outcomes are and the more treatment options available.\u201d<\/p>\n