We unite political parties to improve bowel cancer services in Northern Ireland

Senior politicians from Northern Ireland’s political parties have signed our declaration of support to commit to an ambitious goal of a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer in the country.

We brought together senior politicians in Northern Ireland as well as MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), civil servants, cancer charities, and political and health spokespeople. They heard from researchers, clinicians and patients about the impact of longstanding issues and the stalemate assembly on bowel cancer services, patients and their families at Stormont Parliament, Belfast on Monday 16 October 2023.

The political parties signed a declaration that will support our mission to increase awareness and understanding of bowel cancer; remove the barriers to people being diagnosed quickly, and at the earliest possible stage; get the right treatment and care to every patient, and support people to cope better with bowel cancer. 

Due to a political stalemate in Northern Ireland, there is currently no functioning Assembly. One of the major side effects of no Assembly is the long waiting times for tests that can diagnose bowel cancer. Figures published by Northern Ireland's Department of Health show that nearly 9 in 10 people (84%) living in the country with bowel cancer symptoms are waiting longer than the 62-day target (April to June 2023). This surpassed last quarter’s worst ever performance and is severely lagging behind the rest of the UK.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Northern Ireland with nearly 1,200 people diagnosed every year in the country, and it’s the second biggest cancer killer. However, it shouldn’t be because it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.

Gerard McMahon, Head of Policy & Influencing (Devolved Nations) at Bowel Cancer UK, says: "We're delighted that our political parties have signed a declaration of hope – a commitment to improve bowel cancer services in the country. Together, we pledge to raise awareness, ensure every patient receives timely care, and to prioritise early diagnosis for bowel cancer patients when the disease is easier to treat. We hope this is a turning point for patients and their loved ones."

Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast, Chair of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership and member of the Scientific Board of Bowel Cancer UK, says: "This is simply not acceptable – why have targets if we don't adhere to them? This data and the research intelligence that we have generated highlight how the lack of an implemented cancer strategy is having a disastrous impact on those at risk of bowel cancer and bowel cancer patients in Northern Ireland. We need to act now."

Mr Barry McAree, Colorectal surgeon and NICaN Colorectal cancer lead, says: "Everyone from politicians to healthcare professionals and the general public have their part to play in bringing about a revolution in bowel cancer treatment timelines. NI GPs now have access to one of the most powerful tools for improving the timelines for diagnoses of bowel problems with the introduction of the qFIT poo test, specifically for use in those with symptoms. If we use this powerful symptomatic qFIT test properly and hospitals receive bowel cancer referrals only for those who have a positive result or other concerning test or examination findings, we will vastly improve waiting times for diagnoses and treatments of all bowel problems across the region."

• Read more about our campaign on ending the capacity crisis in NHS bowel cancer diagnostic services
• Read our new five-year strategy that aims to ensure more people are diagnosed at the earliest stages when the disease is easier to treat
• Learn more about our work in Northern Ireland

Above: The inflatable bowel was set up in front of the Stormont parliament for the event.

Above: Pamela Redmond (left), who spoke at the event and Barry McAree (right), Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Antrim Area Hospital talk in front of a Bowel Cancer UK sign.