The reports, produced by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and Macmillan Cancer Support, focus on the trends, characteristics and experiences of lung cancer patients and their care in 2006. They both make recommendations for the improvement of services and reducing the proliferation of cancer in our society.
Speaking at the launch at Queen’s University Belfast, Mr McGimpsey said: “Lung cancer kills over 850 people here each year. It is the leading cause of cancer death in Northern Ireland and smoking is a major contributory factor in many of these cases. In fact, smoking is a contributory factor in 90% of all lung cancer cases.
“It is vital therefore that we continue to focus on preventing smoking and encouraging cessation. I have already taken action in this respect by banning smoking in public places and by increasing the legal age of smoking to 18. I have also recently put before the Assembly plans to ban tobacco advertising at the point of sale. I am sure that the benefits from these policies will become apparent in the years ahead.”
The minister continued: “The publication of these reports today highlight there is still a need to get clear messages to the public about the risks of smoking, and the importance of continuing to support people who are trying to quit smoking. Furthermore, the reports will provide valuable help in the future commissioning and provision of better lung cancer services.
“I fully commend the work of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry in identifying those most likely to be at risk, and also the invaluable work done by Macmillan Cancer Support. We all have a part to play in reducing the burden of cancer on individuals, their families and society as a whole.”
Notes to Editors:
- The reports are: Living with Dying – a research study into the experiences of lung cancer patients and their carers at the Cancer Centre (2008) which gives a first hand insight into the lives of people directly affected by cancer, and Monitoring care of lung cancer patients in Northern Ireland diagnosed 2006, (with comparisons 1996 & 2001), which identifies those most likely to be at risk from the disease.
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Northern Ireland for both males and females, with approximately 850 deaths per year, with smoking being a contributory factor in 90% of all cases.
- Smoking is also a contributory factor in over 300 deaths a year from other forms of cancer, including upper respiratory, oesophagus, bladder, kidney and stomach.
- In Northern Ireland, lung cancer annually accounts for 12.6% of cancer cases and 26.6% of cancer deaths in men and 7.6% of cancer cases and 16.8% of cancer deaths in women.
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