Cancer control is about much more than providing specialist treatments in hospitals.  A lot can be done within communities to help control cancer, e.g.

• people can be supported to lead healthy lifestyles so as to reduce their risk of cancer
• services should ensure people have their cancer diagnosed at an early stage
• patients who are going through treatment, and their families, can also benefit from services and support within their community.

The National Cancer Control Programme established the Community Oncology Division in October 2008. It aims to facilitate a much greater involvement by GPs and Primary Care Teams in Cancer Control.

The Community Oncology Division wants to make the experience of cancer better for everyone. The key areas of work include:

• General Practice and Primary Care Development
• Using guidelines and Service Integration
• Prevention and early diagnosis
• Providing information for patients and Health Professionals

• Post-acute care: rehabilitation and support.

Organisational Chart

Cancer Prevention

 The NCCP has established a Cancer Prevention working group. This is in partnership with the Population Health Directorate of the HSE

The Terms of Reference of the Cancer Prevention working group are to:

1. Provide guidance to the Primary Care Cancer Teams in relation to planning, prioritising, implementing, monitoring and evaluating cancer prevention programmes in Primary Care especially smoking cessation, obesity and care in the sun
2. Provide education / training materials on the use of Brief Interventions and other evidence-based interventions to these Primary Care teams
3. Provide training on the use of Brief Interventions techniques
4. Develop a template for monitoring and evaluation each prevention  programme
5. Provide education and training in relation to evidenced based approaches for smoking cessation to health personnel in general.

In 2009 smoking cessation is being prioritised - National Smokers Quit Line 1850 201 203