New figures show Ireland's increasing cancer survival rate, with most people living at least 10 years after diagnosis.

However there's a warning about our lower-than-average rates for surviving the disease when it's found at a later stage.

Four out of five people who are diagnosed with skin or prostate cancer in Ireland can now expect to be alive 10 years later.

Nearly three quarters of breast cancer patients can expect the same prognosis.

The preliminary data from the National Cancer Registry, released to the Irish Times, shows that the estimated 10 year survival rate for almost all major cancers is nearly 54 per cent.

Experts are welcoming the news, however they're also highlighting Ireland's much lower than average survival rates for advanced cancer.

Medics say it highlights the importance of people seeking help as soon as possible.