Article Highlights:
- NEW research has given hope to thousands of people diagnosed with breast, prostate and colon cancer as it shows more people in Northern Ireland are surviving for longer.
- The study examined cancer care and outcomes for patients diagnosed with either prostate, breast or colorectal cancer -- which account for 3,000 cancers each year -- between 1996 and 2006 across Northern Ireland and the findings are particularly positive for breast cancer patients.
- This compares to 91% and 85% in 2001 and 1996 respectively.
NEW research has given hope to thousands of people diagnosed with breast, prostate and colon cancer as it shows more people in Northern Ireland are surviving for longer.
The study examined cancer care and outcomes for patients diagnosed with either prostate, breast or colorectal cancer -- which account for 3,000 cancers each year -- between 1996 and 2006 across Northern Ireland and the findings are particularly positive for breast cancer patients.
The research showed survival rates for patients diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 were excellent and had improved on 2001 and 1996 rates -- after one year almost 95% of patients were still alive, with 91% of patients still alive two years later. This compares to 91% and 85% in 2001 and 1996 respectively.
The study, which was carried out by Queen's University Belfast and funded by the Public Health Agency, also revealed more patients are gaining access to diagnostic tests.
In relation to breast cancer over twice as many women were having chemotherapy in 2006 compared with 1996, with increases also in radiotherapy and the availability of reconstructive surgery after treatment.
According to the research, prostate cancer survival has increased significantly overall -- two-year survival increased from 65% for patients diagnosed in 1996 to 87% for patients diagnosed in 2006.
The study also found for patients with cancer of the rectum who underwent surgery the survival rate of those patients in 2006 was significantly higher than those in 1996 and 2001 -- the survival rate of patients at two years was 60% in 1996, 70% in 2001 and 84% in 2006.
The quality and breadth of data gathered by researchers at Queen's University is such that it is to be used in a global benchmarking programme looking at reasons for differences in cancer survival rates in 14 international areas including several states of Australia, Canadian provinces, Norway, Sweden, and the rest of the UK.
Dr Anna Gavin, director of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and co-author of the reports, said: "Such analysis is vitally important as it can highlight increasing service demands, inequalities and areas for further improvement."
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has welcomed the findings and said: "Over recent years, there have been significant improvements in the management of cancer care both in diagnostic and treatment services.
"Thankfully survival rates and life expectancy have been improving. I look forward to seeing a further improvement in cancer survival rates in the years ahead."
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