NI ‘probably’ worst in western Europe for cancer wait times – committee chairman

By Jonathan McCambridge (Press Association)

Northern Ireland probably has the worst waiting times for cancer diagnosis in western Europe, the chairman of Stormont’s Health Committee has said.

Philip McGuigan made the remarks as a new report said cancer cases have hit a record high in the region with about 10,700 people being diagnosed every year.

A surgeon told MLAs that the issue is an “access problem, not a treatment problem”.

The report from Cancer Research UK said more people in Northern Ireland are being diagnosed with cancer than ever before – around 29 new cases every day.

It found that breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers account for more than half (54%) of new cancer cases in Northern Ireland.

The report also said cancer incidence rates in Northern Ireland have increased by 14% since the early 1990s.

Cancer Research UK said mortality rates have decreased over the past 50 years, but the number of deaths per year has risen

Their report said cancer mortality rates in Northern Ireland are currently at their lowest recorded level, having fallen by 18% since the mid-1970s.

However, because of a growing and ageing population, more people in the region are dying from cancer, with around 4,600 deaths every year.

It said cancer is the leading cause of death in Northern Ireland, causing 26% of all deaths.

Professor Mark Taylor, who was appointed last year as the region’s first regional clinical director for elective care with a focus on tackling the region’s high waiting lists, appeared before the Health Committee on Thursday.

Mr McGuigan raised the new report, stating it was “not great reading”.

He said: “We are still the weakest part of these islands, the weakest part probably of western Europe in terms of the longest waits for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

“Only 31% of patients are being treated within 62 days of a red-flag referral.

“That’s not really great. What is the focus in terms of dealing with red-flag referrals.”

Mr Taylor said: “Cancer is on the rise and that same report talked about a 14% increase, but it also mentioned outlook and outcomes have improved.

“It is very important to say this is an access problem, not a treatment problem.

“When you get to the clinicians that are there to administer the care, I stand very proud of the care we give to cancer patients as a cancer surgeon.”

McGuigan pointed out that screening for bowel cancer takes place at the age of 60 in Northern Ireland, while it is at 50 in the rest of the UK and 57 in the Republic of Ireland.

He said: “We are an outlier in relation to that.

“If you can diagnose people earlier, treatment is less complex.

“It would be much more efficient if people with bowel cancer and all kinds of cancer were being screened earlier.

“How can the department rationalise screening at 60 and not being reduced?”

Mr Taylor said: “In bowel cancer, there is absolutely no doubt we are behind our colleagues in the United Kingdom.

“We have a finite budget, we have a massive backlog, we have got to think of those earlier diagnostics that might save us money down the line, but more importantly save patients down the line.”