Macmillan: Nearly 100,000 people in NI living with cancer
Cancer figures reach record high
Cancer levels across the UK are the highest they have ever been, according to a new report by Macmillan Cancer Support.
The figures show a record high of 3.5m across the UK in 2025, including 98,000 in Northern Ireland.
The charity is warning that as the number of people with cancer continues to rise, many are finding it harder to live with the disease than ever before, and there are significant differences when it comes to people’s experiences of diagnosis, treatment and care.
This is causing what Macmillan is calling an ‘unacceptable cancer care gap’ across the UK and the charity is urging the government to take urgent action to ensure everyone with cancer can access the best care possible.
Sarah Christie is a Nation Lead and External Affairs Manager with the charity.
She highlighted some of the issues cancer patients are facing:
"We know that there's people out there living with cancer but we also know that they're not getting the experiences that they deserve and there's an inequity in the system so some people are getting great experiences and access to treatments which prolong their life, whereas others don't have that."
According to the charity, reasons for the growing number of people living with cancer are complex and include a growing and ageing population, a gradual increase in some survival rates, and some increases in the rates of people diagnosed with certain cancer types.
Macmillan’s Chief Executive Gemma Peters said: “The number of people living with cancer in the UK is rising, and for many, things are getting worse.
"There are unacceptable gaps between the best and worst experiences, and people are being left behind.
“Behind these figures are individuals with unique challenges and needs.
“It’s been nearly a year since the return to Stormont and the Executive need to tackle the difficult decisions to transform our cancer care system.
"It’s time to work collaboratively to implement much-needed change for everyone in Northern Ireland living with cancer, as a matter of urgency.
"By addressing the cancer care gap and ensuring every patient no matter who they are or where they live, can access world-class care, we can set a new standard for Northern Ireland.
"This is the Executive’s chance to shape its legacy for generations to come."