Queen's University releases detailed NI cancer statistics

  • Queen's University Belfast has published detailed statistics on the incidence and survival rates of cancer in Northern Ireland.

    The new cancer statistics are based on data collected between 1993 and 2017 and contain information on geographical distribution, age and gender factors, and trends in cancer diagnosis and survival.

    Recent stats on the years from 2013 to 2017 showed 9,401 cases were diagnosed (4,691 male and 4,710 female), and the most common cancers were Prostate for men (24% of all male cancer) and Breast for women (30% of all female cancer diagnoses). The next most common were lung cancer (14% male, 13% female) and bowel cancer (14% male, 11% female).

    Age was still the most influential factor for cancer incidence, with 63% of all cancers being diagnosed in those aged 65 or older. Testicular and Cervical cancer were less associated with age, with over half of testicular cancer cases occuring in men under 35 anf half of cervical cancer striking women under 42.

    Cancer rates have increased by 15% over the past ten years mostly due to the increasing average age of the NI population, but liver cancer among women rose sharply by 66%. The five year survival rate for breast cancer between 2007 and 2011 was 82%, and for prostate cancer it was 88%.

    The most impactful intervention for cancer survival was early diagnosis, with survival rates of 99% for breast cancer and 98% for bowel cancer if caught in the early stages compared to 18% and 9% for late stage diagnoses. More statistics can be viewed in the report.

    Source: Written based on press release, report

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