Northern Ireland

The population of Northern Ireland is approximately 1.7 million. The overall cancer incidence in Northern Ireland is statistically the same as that of Ireland, while mortality rates in Northern Ireland are significantly lower. The higher mortality in the Republic of Ireland is largely due to breast, colorectal and prostate cancers. The incidence of recorded prostate cancer is higher in the Republic of Ireland, while lymphoma rates are higher in Northern Ireland. To learn more about cancer statistics in Northern Ireland, visit the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry website at www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

Cancer screening programs include:

• Population-based breast cancer screening is available to all women ages 50 to 64.
• Population-based cervical cancer screening is available to all women over the age of 20.
• Screening for colorectal and prostate cancer is under discussion.

In 1996, Dr. Henrietta Campbell, then the Chief Medical Officer, called for the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. In response, Northern Ireland began development of one regional cancer centre, which is based at Belfast City Hospital and is now part of the Belfast Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust, and one cancer unit in each of the four health and social services board areas. The Cancer Units are located in Altnagelvin Hospital (Western HSC Trust), Antrim Hospital (Northern HSC Trust), Ulster Hospital (South Eastern HSC Trust), and Craigavon Hospital (Southern HSC Trust). The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry has audited the resultant changes to services and reports are available at http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/nicr/.

Multidisciplinary specialist cancer teams for the major disease subsites are now at work, and integrated patient care pathways are under development.

Service Framework for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Care

The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) is the managed clinical network for cancer services. It works towards the continuous improvement in cancer care and cancer survival for the people of Northern Ireland. This is achieved by supporting groups of health professionals, patients and voluntary sector representatives to work together in a co-ordinated way across geographical, organisational and professional boundaries. For more information, visit www.nican.n-i.nhs.uk.

Dr. Michael McBride, the Chief Medical Officer, has requested that NICaN support the development of the service framework for Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Care by August 2008. A Project Team has been established. For more information, visit www.nican.n-i.nhs.uk.