Around 150,000 life-saving bowel cancer screening test kits have been issued and over 100 cancers have been detected in Northern Ireland since the launch of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in April 2010. Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in Northern Ireland and claims the lives of 400 local people each year*, but when detected at a very early stage there is a 90% successful treatment rate.

For those with diabetes, sight loss and blindness, is a serious risk. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is marking Diabetes Week (10–16 June 2012) to remind those with diabetes to get tested for retinopathy – the condition which causes loss of sight in diabetes.

Following a burst pipe or the restoration of water supply NI Water have the following advice for customers:

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is warning parents of the importance of protecting their children against measles following an outbreak of the infectious disease in the Republic of Ireland. Families are being urged to get their children fully immunised with two doses of MMR before travelling during to other countries, including the Republic of Ireland and other European destinations during the summer holidays.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is highlighting Men’s Health Week 2012 (11 – 17 June) as an ideal time for men to focus on their own health and wellbeing, getting themselves checked out or looking for help and support, if necessary. The theme for the all-island Men’s Health Week is 'First Instinct', encouraging men and boys to seek help and support in times of difficulty or trouble. According to the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, men (north and south) experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young:

As the 2012, Olympic Torch makes its way across Northern Ireland, the Public Health Agency (PHA) will be cheering on Orla Smyth, local transplant athlete, one of the fortunate few selected to carry the flame on part of its journey, today (at 4.18pm) from the Hillsborough Old Road (near The Close) to Ryanscourt . Orla will represent transplant recipients, those on the transplant waiting list and donor families.