October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging everyone to be breast aware and know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. “There were almost 1,500 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2019,” said Dr Louise Herron, Consultant in Service Development and Screening at the PHA. “While breast cancer can occur at any age, the risk of developing it increases with age and most occur in women over the age of 50. “If breast cancer is found early, there is a better chance that treatment will be successful. “To ensure you pick up any changes

The Public Health Agency (PHA) would like to take this opportunity to encourage people at risk who are either immunosuppressed or immunocompromised to get ready for winter by taking up the free vaccination when it is offered to you. These individuals may suffer more severely if they catch either Influenza or COVID-19 but vaccination will help reduce this risk. The following at risk groups and their household contacts/carers are eligible for either the flu, COVID-19 or both vaccinations. Eligible groups for flu vaccine in 2022 to 2023 are: Those aged 6 months to 2 years, and 16 to 49 years in

The colder months can be difficult for families, with many parents and guardians concerned about trying to keep their home and young babies warm. However, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding parents and guardians with young babies of the importance of following safer sleep advice to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. Emily Roberts, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children at the PHA, said: “It is really important to keep your baby’s sleep environment safe throughout the winter months, especially when there may be temptations to add more blankets or to bring very young babies

Over 72,000 men have been screened in Northern Ireland in the past 10 years for potentially life-threatening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) with over 750 aneurysms detected by screening during that time. The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to your body. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling (aneurysm) of the aorta and can be dangerous if it isn't spotted early on. The success of the programme, in detecting and successfully managing this condition, has been highlighted at an event to mark the tenth anniversary of the screening programme. The event in Belfast was

As university and third-level students start a new term, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding them of the dangers of mixing alcohol and drugs. Most fatal overdoses involve the use of more than one type of drug, and any combination of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, illicit drugs and alcohol can be dangerous. Kevin Bailey, Regional Lead for Drugs and Alcohol at the PHA, said: “It’s easy to forget that alcohol itself is a powerful drug and mixing any drugs, including prescription medications and alcohol, can be unpredictable and unsafe. “Those returning to university or

The winter vaccination programme, which includes the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine, is now available to care home residents and staff. The vaccines help to prolong protection already received from initial COVID-19 vaccinations, while the flu vaccine is needed every year as the antibodies that protect you from flu decline over time, and flu strains change from year to year. The Public Health Agency (PHA) announced at the beginning of September the plans for this year’s winter vaccination campaign, which will see flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered to over 1 million people in Northern Ireland

Today (Monday 26 September) marks the start of Organ Donation Week, a national celebration of organ and tissue donation and transplantation which saves and transforms hundreds of lives each year. During Organ Donation Week, the Public Health Agency is urging people to register their donation decision and talk to their families about organ donation as more than 6,500 people are actively waiting for a transplant across the UK, 144 of those in Northern Ireland. Last year, 100 people in Northern Ireland waiting for an organ transplant had their lives saved by the generosity of deceased organ

This National Eye Health Week (20 th to 27 th September), Health Minister Robin Swann has lent his support to a nationwide awareness campaign called #EyeCareWeCare, aimed at highlighting the importance of eye health to avoid preventable sight loss. One in five people will experience sight loss in their lives, but over 50 per cent of sight loss is avoidable. The #EyeCareWeCare campaign was officially launched during an awareness raising event held in Belfast’s Castle Court shopping centre on Thursday, 22 nd September. The campaign is being led by RNIB, the Department of Health, the Public