The rate of cancer deaths in this country was the second-highest in Europe between 1994 and 1998.
20,000 new cases of cancer were detected each year during the period, with 7,000 fatalities for each of the four years, according to a new report published this afternoon.
The most common cancers are skin, large bowel, breast in females and prostate in males.
Overall, the survival rate from cancer is 63%, but is generally better for women than men.
The best survival rate is for melanoma cancer, at 87%.