Lack of cancer strategy in Northern Ireland believed to be impacting on vulnerable

By Hannah Spratt

Charities here are calling for the development and implementation of a cancer strategy to be a priority for politicians.

Figures from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry predict incidences of the disease here will rise by almost two thirds by 2035.

Northern Ireland is currently the only region in the UK and Ireland which doesn’t have a strategy in place, and the absence of a functioning government means it’s unlikely to happen in the short term.

Speaking ahead of the All Party Group on Cancer meeting at Parliament Buildings, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland Chief Executive Roisin Foster says the absence of a comprehensive strategy is impacting on those who need it most.

“This inactivity on our pressing health matters has been a continuing problem for long enough. We need our politicians back in Stormont to develop a desperately needed new cancer strategy. In the meantime, it is the vulnerable who suffer most.”

Roisin spoke to Q Radio News:

Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw, Chair of the All Party Group says the implementation of a strategy is crucial.

“We need a cancer strategy so that so that we can join up every aspect of cancer treatment and research, from finding cures to delivering palliative care, and ensure that caring for people with cancer is central to the overall transformation of Health and social care.”