A recent study has revealed stark disparities in cancer treatment access across Northern Ireland. While some patients like Jennifer Dummigan were able to receive a quick diagnosis and start treatment within just five months, others face agonisingly long waits.
Data shows that cancer waiting times in Northern Ireland are the worst in the UK. In the last five years, around 15,400 patients have had to wait longer than the 62-day target to start treatment after being urgently referred by their GP.
The situation is set to worsen, with predictions that over the next five years, some 20,000 people will not receive timely treatment. This is a major concern, as even a one-month delay can increase the risk of death by 6-10% for common cancers.
Jennifer Dummigan, a 54-year-old from Craigavon, was fortunate to have a quick journey from first symptoms to treatment. “My prognosis was so good because I was seen so quickly,” she told BBC News NI. However, she expressed sympathy for those facing lengthy waits, saying “every day, week and month can make a difference to a person’s prognosis.”
Cancer Research UK has urged the Northern Ireland Executive to develop an emergency stabilisation plan to protect patient safety. This would involve prioritising those with the greatest clinical need, scrutinising capacity, and setting realistic improvement goals for each health trust.
A spokesperson for Northern Ireland’s Department of Health said the government is working with trusts “to address the underlying issues” and support the expansion of diagnostic services. However, they acknowledged that cancer waiting times “are not acceptable and remain a priority.”
With lives at stake, tackling these unacceptable disparities in cancer care must be an urgent priority for policymakers in Northern Ireland.
