Detecting bowel cancer early saves lives

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is using Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (1-30 April) to encourage everyone who is eligible to make use of the bowel cancer screening programme, and to be aware of the early signs and symptoms of the disease. Dr Tracy Owen, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: “Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Northern Ireland with about 1,200 people diagnosed with the disease each year. However, the good news is that the earlier bowel cancer is detected, the more successful the treatment is likely to be.

Diabetic eye screening

Weigh to a healthy pregnancy

This leaflet was developed by the PHA to introduce the Weigh to a health pregnancy programme, a weight management programme for pregnant women with a high body mass index (BMI). The programme offers extra support from midwives, dietitian and physiotherapist with the aim of keeping weight gain in pregnancy within the healthy range in order to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications for mother and baby.

It is available only to women who have been referred to the programme.

Pressure ulcer prevention for children (English and translations)

This leaflet provides information on pressure ulcers in children, how they develop and the steps patients and carers can take to prevent them. These leaflets were distributed to trust tissue viability leads.

Early diagnosis crucial to tackling TB

On World TB Day (Friday 24 March), the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the importance of preventing transmission of tuberculosis and how to recognise its symptoms early. Dr Michael Devine, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, said: “TB remains an important global and local public health issue. People may think of TB as a disease of the past but there are more than 10 million new cases of TB globally each year with more than one million deaths, mostly in developing countries.

Helplines NI leaflet

Helplines NI was established in 2013 in collaboration between the Public Health Agency (PHA) and locally-based helplines to promote effectiveness, efficiency and a forum to share good practice and encourage partnership working. 

Helplines NI was established in 2013 in collaboration between the Public Health Agency (PHA) and locally based helplines to promote effectiveness, efficiency and a forum to share good practice and encourage partnership working.  Helplines NI currently includes 26 member organisations delivering 30 helplines that provide a variety of vital support services including information, advice, counselling, a listening ear and befriending.

Increase in early detection of skin cancer in men

New statistics from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry show that there has been an increase in the number of men diagnosed with the most serious skin cancer, malignant melanoma. However, the good news is that more cases were detected early, when there is a greater likelihood of successful treatment. In 2015 there were 209 cases of malignant melanoma in males in Northern Ireland, which is higher than previous years.

Salt Awareness Week – check the labels

This Salt Awareness Week (20-26 March) the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding everyone of the dangers of eating too much salt and asking everyone to check food labels to see how much salt is in our food. Too much salt in our diet can contribute to high blood pressure – also known as hypertension – and increase the risk of stroke and heart disease, some of the leading causes of disability and death in Northern Ireland. Hypertension often has no symptoms, but if you have the condition, you are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Know your limits if drowning the shamrock this St Patrick’s Day

As people get ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging anyone who chooses to drink to keep an eye on their alcohol intake, emphasising the dangers of binge drinking and the effects that excess alcohol can have on our health and our safety. The PHA’s Drugs and Alcohol lead Michael Owen said: “A lot of people will be making plans to meet up with their friends and family tomorrow to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and we are encouraging them to keep an eye on their alcohol intake should they choose to drink.
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