Northern Ireland could save around 5,900 lives from cancer by 2040 through urgent, focused action on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research. 

The projection is part of our new Longer, better lives: a manifesto for cancer research and care in Northern Ireland, which sets out evidence-based recommendations to improve cancer outcomes and help more people live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.  

We’re publishing the manifesto ahead of next year’s Stormont election, calling on all political parties and the incoming Executive to make cancer a top priority. 

At the heart of the manifesto is a clear ambition: a national commitment to reduce Northern Ireland’s cancer death rate by 15% by 2040. Achieving that goal would prevent around 5,900 cancer deaths over the next 15 years.  

“The cancer crisis in Northern Ireland is urgent, with the time to start cancer treatment steadily worsening over the last 16 years,” says Michelle Mitchell chief executive of Cancer Research UK.  

“The time to act is now. The next Executive needs to make cancer a priority by urgently tackling waiting times, diagnosing more cancers earlier and giving patients quicker access to the best treatment. 

“Without decisive leadership and immediate and sustained action, more lives will be unnecessarily lost.”  

Our manifesto for Northern Ireland 

People affected by cancer deserve a future where cancer outcomes are dramatically better than they are today. But that will require sustained action to stabilise services, diagnose more cancers earlier and give people faster access to the best treatments.  

To achieve this, the next Northern Ireland Executive should:  

1. Protect people from harm by tackling long cancer waits

• Lead an urgent stabilisation and recovery plan to reduce cancer waits 

• Set realistic interim targets 

• Publish a wide range of data on cancer waits to ensure progress and accountability

2. Deliver high-impact actions outlined in the Cancer Strategy for Northern Ireland

• Support GPs to make timely referrals 

• Plan and implement a targeted lung screening programme 

• Extend bowel screening to people aged 50 to 74 

• Support informed screening uptake 

3. Take action to prevent more cancers 

• Implement all measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Act and strengthen stop smoking support 

• Increase HPV vaccination uptake 

• Introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol and restrictions on less healthy food and drink promotions 

4. Strengthen the research environment in Northern Ireland to benefit people affected by cancer 

• Develop a plan to create and retain clinical researchers 

• Remove barriers to research delivery and ensure non-commercial research is adequately supported 

• Improve access to health data for cancer research 

Read the full manifesto for cancer research and care in Northern Ireland. 

Aisling’s story 

“So many people’s lives are touched by the disease and the numbers are only growing. 

“It’s vital that saving lives comes before politics. It is important that the right investments are made in staff, screening and medical equipment so all patients in Northern Ireland receive the high-quality cancer services they deserve. 

“That’s why I’m supporting this campaign. I’m determined to help make things better for people facing cancer right now and in the future.”