Latest figures have revealed almost 70,000 people are living with cancer in Northern Ireland.

The report, which was published by Queen's University Belfast and Macmillan Cancer Support, also revealed the number of people living with the disease increased by more than 3% each year since 1993.

An ageing population, obesity and other lifestyle choices were stated as reasons for the continual increase in cases.

Researchers found that while lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers, its poor survival rate means it is only the ninth most prevalent cancer in NI. Between 2006 and 2010, around 887 people died of the disease each year.

More than 11,000 women were found to have been diagnosed with breast cancer, while more then 6,500 men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer within the last 18 years.

Prostate and oesophageal cancer are on the increase with men, but it is uterine and kidney cancers in women that has seen the most significant jump in cases.

Survival rates for uterine cancer have slightly improved however, with 1,391 women surviving the disease in 2010, compared to 845 women in 2002.

Heather Monteverde, General Manager of NI Macmillan Cancer Support said: "Cancer remains a major public health issue in Northern Ireland but the cancer story is changing.

"It used to be the case that either people were cured of their cancer or they died, often very quickly.

"With the number of cancer survivors increasing, we now know that many people need more support after treatment to meet their ongoing needs and to live with cancer as a long term illness."

(JP/CD)