What are the next steps for cancer services in Northern Ireland?

What are the next steps for cancer services in Northern Ireland?

The ‘Cancer collaboration in action’ conference, hosted by the Public Health Agency (PHA), the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) at Mossley Mill brought together over 125 health care professionals and representatives from the community and voluntary sector to reflect on findings and recommendations for cancer services in Northern Ireland.

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “The conference was designed around three key stages in cancer control: prevention and early detection, innovations in treatment, and living with and beyond cancer. Conference speakers reflected on the changing landscape of cancer control work, and that  if we are to reduce the impact of cancer in Northern Ireland, we need to focus on improving the overall health and wellbeing of our population, increasing awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer  and beliefs about cancer and the effectiveness of treatment.  In addition we need to focus more of our energies and resources on developing services for the growing number of individuals who are living with and beyond cancer.

“We know that people in Northern Ireland are more reluctant to visit their GP, so there is an urgent need to change the behaviour of our population.  There are cervical, breast and bowel cancer screening programmes in place in Northern Ireland and we need to increase the number of people attending for screening when invited to do so as it is the best way to detect the first signs of cancer, therefore aiding successful treatment.

“We must also make the population aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer and tackle those beliefs about cancer treatment and outcomes which may result in people refraining from seeking early clinical advice

Equally important is improving the overall health and wellbeing of our population and there are some simple, but significant ways for people to reduce their own cancer risk:

  •          If you smoke, stop. Visit www.want2stop.info for tips to help you quit;
  •          Keep alcohol consumption within safe limits. The website www.knowyourlimits.info has more information on this.
  •          Take regular exercise and aim to keep your weight within the recommended BMI range. The websitewww.choosetolivebetter.com has more information on simple steps that can help reduce weight.
  •          Avoid getting sunburn – use sunscreen and a hat. Do not use sunbeds

Dr Miriam McCarthy continued: “The evidence shared today highlights just how vital each and every sector, from prevention through to treatment and follow-up is in the fight to tackle the impact of cancer, and the importance of ensuring we work collaboratively to ensure high quality and  seamless care.”

Notes to the editor

Caption L-R

Lisa McWilliams, Senior Manager at NICaN, Beth Malloy, Assistant Director of Scheduled Services at the HSCB, Health Minister, Edwin Poots, Dr Miriam McCarthy,  Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA and Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive at the PHA.