How Northern Ireland can save almost 6,000 lives from cancer
Northern Ireland could save around 5,900 lives from cancer by 2040 through urgent, focused action on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research. The post How Northern Ireland can save almost 6,000 lives from cancer appeared first on Cancer Research UK - Cancer News .
The Cancer Research UK Northern Ireland report suggests that implementing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research focused actions could prevent approximately 5,900 cancer-related deaths by 2040. This crucial projection forms the basis of the new Longer, Better Lives manifesto which urges political parties and the forthcoming Executive in Northern Ireland to prioritize cancer care.
The report emphasizes the urgency surrounding the cancer crisis in Northern Ireland, with treatment waiting times steadily worsening for the past 16 years. The chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, urges immediate action to tackle treatment delays, early diagnosis, and quicker access to superior treatment options.
Presently, cancer waiting times in Northern Ireland are the poorest in the UK, with around 71% of patients not starting treatment within 62 days of being referred to a hospital. This could potentially leave 20,000 people waiting too long over the next five years. Mitchell stresses that early diagnosis is vital to improve patient outcomes.
The report also highlights stark disparities in cancer death rates, with people from the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland experiencing rates around 45% higher than those from the least deprived. The manifesto calls for sustained efforts to stabilize cancer services, diagnose cancers earlier, and provide faster access to the best treatments, ensuring a future where cancer outcomes are significantly improved.
Written by urgent.news from Cancer Research UK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
