Recent research from the Northern Ireland Cancer Research Registry at Queens University Belfast shows that between 2008 and 2017, the number of cancer cases in NI increased by 15% but there had been an increase in survival rates across the country. This is good news for the people of Northern Ireland who are supported by a range of cancer care services across the nation.
For our latest City Spotlight, we’ve taken a look at just a handful of the amazing services in Belfast.
Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the services available may be subject to change or on temporarily suspended. Contact the organisations directly to find out more.
The team at Cancer Fund for Children ensure that no family has to face cancer alone. They’re there for children and young people between 0 and 24 years old that are diagnosed with cancer or those living with a parent with a cancer diagnosis. Offering support at home, in the community and on the hospital ward as well as at their residential centre, they are there to help emotionally, physically and financially.
For men and women across Northern Ireland living with breast cancer, as well as their friends, family and carers, Pretty n Pink is a breast cancer support centre providing information and advice, as well as offering access to emotional support and complementary therapies. Since 2006, this charitable organisation has been ran by a team of volunteers and is the only registered breast cancer charity in Northern Ireland.
Based at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, this organisation provides support to cancer patients and their families as they go through treatment. Providing complementary therapies, exercise classes, and information. The work of Friends of the Cancer Centre focuses on three key areas – patient care, patient comfort and research and their work supports the services provided by the Health Service.
Since 1969, this local cancer charity has worked to reduce the impact of cancer on people’s lives. The service provides care and support services for cancer patients and their families and offers a range of cancer prevention programmes to help people lessen their risk of getting cancer. One to one support can be offered in your home or at the service centre in Belfast, as well as phone support when you need advice or someone to talk to.
A ‘home from home’ support centre for all people affected by a cancer diagnosis. The services offered include advice and information, counselling and complementary therapies, wellbeing workshops and support groups. They also have online video support for small postive changes for health and well being – ideal for those unable to leave the house due to shielding restrictions.
Based out of the Macmillan Information Centre at Belfast City Hospital, the Natter Group is a support group offering the opportunity to meet others affected by neuroendocrine cancer. Natter Groups are run by nurse specialists or other people living with neuroendocrine cancer. Since the COVID19 pandemic this group is continuing to run online/by phone via zoom, contact nikie@nc-uk.org for details and link.
If you have used or know of any cancer support services in Belfast or beyond, visit our website to add a service to our Cancer Care Map.
With research showing that more than 90% of people living with illness want to be connected with like-minded patients, the team at Yara are building an innovative mobile app where like-minded patients can come together in to exchange knowledge and share experiences. Here the team behind it, tell us more.
Bowel cancer (sometimes referred to as colorectal cancer) is the 4th most common cancer in the UK with over 40,000 people diagnosed each year. Almost 9 in 10 people that receive a bowel cancer diagnosis are over 60 but survival rates are significantly higher if diagnosis is found in the early stages. April sees us recognise Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, so we've taken a look at some of the great support services available in the UK.
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