Northern Ireland

The population of Northern Ireland is approximately 1.7 million. The overall cancer rate in Northern Ireland is 6 to 7 percent higher than that of Ireland; this higher percentage is made up of colorectal, lung, skin melanoma, and stomach cancers.

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, 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 one cancer unit in each of the four regional health boards in Altnagelvin, Antrim, Ulster, and Craigavon. The goals of this new clinical cancer service are to:

• Coordinate cancer prevention, screening, and treatment
• Facilitate education, training, and research initiatives
• Provide patient-centered care

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

To learn more about cancer statistics in Northern Ireland, visit the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry.