It's estimated 2,000 cancer cases went undiagnosed last year, due to the pandemic.
A report from the National Cancer Registry shows as many as 1 in 8 cancers that were predicted to be diagnosed in 2020, were not.
The Irish Cancer Society's CEO, Averil Power, says either a "reluctance" to go to a GP during the pandemic or difficulty in accessing services may have caused the lower cancer detections.
An estimated 2,000 cancer cases went undetected last year due to the pandemic.@IrishCancerSoc says it's "very worried" there are people living with cancer, unaware they have it.
It says difficulty in accessing services during covid and reluctance to go to GP impacted diagnoses
— Mairéad Cleary (@maireadcleary7) December 2, 2021
"We're really worried that some of these people might still not know they have cancer and late diagnosis might effect their chances of survival."
The charity is urging anyone with symptoms they suspect may be cancer-related, to speak to their GP as soon as possible.
"Cancer is disease where time matters - the earlier its caught the easier it is to treat," Ms Power added.
The report also showed a positive improvement in survival rates in breast, lung and prostate cancers up to 2019.
To contact the Irish Cancer Society's Helpline call 1800 200 700 or click here.
