2 June 2010

Improved cancer survival rates reflect investment in cancer services - McGimpsey

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has welcomed new research, which shows improved survival for cancer patients, despite the number of cases increasing.

The research was carried out by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) at Queen’s University, Belfast, and was funded by the Public Health Agency. It looked at cancer care and outcomes for patients in Northern Ireland diagnosed with either prostate, breast or colorectal cancer, between 1996 and 2006.

The research highlighted improvements in areas, such as more centralised treatment, closer working between clinicians, early diagnosis and better treatment options as having had a significant impact on positive patient outcomes.

Welcoming the research, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “The research by the Cancer Registry reflects unprecedented investment in cancer services and innovative changes in health care delivery, which has seen professionals involved in cancer care across Northern Ireland working together to bring real improvement to the lives of those with the disease.

“There has been substantial investment in cancer services in the years following the publication of the Campbell Report in 1996, including almost £60million for the development of the Regional Cancer Centre, which opened in 2006. This has led to an improvement in both quality of treatment and outcomes for cancer patients in Northern Ireland.”

The Minister continued: “In Northern Ireland, we now have excellent facilities for cancer patients, at the Regional Cancer Centre in Belfast and the Cancer Units at the Ulster, Antrim, Altnagelvin and Craigavon Hospitals. This will be further enhanced by the development of a satellite radiotherapy unit, which is planned for Altnagelvin to meet radiotherapy demands from 2015 onwards.”

The Minister said that screening will play an important part in improving cancer diagnosis and treatment. He said: “Over the past three years, additional funding has been allocated to cancer services, which has enabled the introduction of bowel cancer screening and the HPV vaccination programme for cervical cancer. In addition, the upper age limit for breast screening was extended to 70.

“Over recent years, there have been significant improvements in the management of cancer care both in diagnostic and treatment services. Thankfully survival rates and life expectancy have been improving. I look forward to seeing a further improvement in cancer survival rates in the years ahead.”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, said: “This research provides valuable information which is essential in helping us to track progress in identifying those areas where change is still needed. The research highlights the importance of the Cancer Registry at Queen’s as a valuable public health tool, which has grown and developed over the last few years and plays a leading role in monitoring cancer care in Northern Ireland.

“It is particularly encouraging that this in depth research will now be used in a global benchmarking programme which will look at reasons for differences in cancer survival rates across various countries and how to improve these rates and so save lives.”

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