Cancer chiefs: 'NI will have an epidemic without urgent action'

A top health charity chief warned today (Thursday) that Northern Ireland is heading for a cancer epidemic – unless urgent action is taken.

And Gerry McElwee says strategies such as a special 12-point prevention plan must be put in place before the situation spirals out of control.

“If action isn’t taken very very soon we will have an epidemic of cancers – it’s going to increase by two thirds and where will the services be for those cancer patients,” he told Downtown & Cool FM.

“Where will the funding be? Where will the oncologists be?

“They have go to make decisions very very soon to help those cancers from developing in the first place and they’ve got to start implementing the messages we’re discussing this week around tobacco, ultra-violet light from sunbeds, alcohol, physical activity obesity early diagnosis

“Our politicians have to take this on and start putting strategies in place urgently.”

Mr McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Focus NI, was speaking as a meeting of European experts in Belfast.

Recent statistics show that the number of new cancer patients across Northern Ireland could rocket by more than 60% between 2015 and 2035 – an increase of nearly two-thirds – if “rigorous action” is not taken now.

The European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) workshop is being hosted by Cancer Focus NI (celebrating its 50th year) and the Irish Cancer Society when speakers are highlighting ways which could cut the incidence of cancer in Europe by up to 50%.

Mr McElwee added: “We are delighted to welcome our European colleagues to Belfast. The implementation of the ECAC, which also includes advice and recommendations on nutrition, care in the sun, physical activity, not smoking and limiting alcohol, would help reduce the risk of cancer in the population by up to a half.

“This workshop is an excellent opportunity for the different organisations to share ways of getting the messages across to the public and policy makers.”

Special guest Joachim Schüz, from the International Agency on Research on Cancer (IARC), spoke about the opportunities for improving cancer prevention in Europe.

“The European Code against Cancer informs the individual of how they can reduce their cancer risk. Regulatory action is needed to support or complement preventive measures which are beyond the control of an individual,” he said.

“We appreciate the rising awareness among health decision-makers that we cannot stop the increasing European cancer burden by treatment alone and that the role of prevention needs to be strengthened.

“This includes close multinational collaboration as facilitated, for example, by the IARC and also already successfully in place by organisations such as the European Cancer Leagues or Cancer Prevention Europe.”

Delegates will travel to Dublin on May 24 for further discussions. Kevin O’Hagan, from the Irish Cancer Society, said: “With cancer incidence expected to double in Ireland over the next number of years, a greater focus must be given to prevention and enabling people to make lifestyle choices that can help reduce their risk

“This is a great opportunity to collaborate and learn from experts across Europe, to identify effective programmes and policies which can make a real difference to the health of people across Europe.”

Dr Wendy Yared, from the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), said: “ECL is delighted to organise this workshop together with two long-standing members of our network. Both Cancer Focus NI and the Irish Cancer Society have vast experience of building effective partnerships for cancer prevention, which will provide the many international colleagues present with great examples to take back."