Alliance Warns NI Must Catch Up On Bowel Cancer Surveillance

Alliance has warned that Northern Ireland must match the rest of the UK on surveillance of Lynch Syndrome, which is a genetic condition that increases the risk of bowel cancer.

The party's Health Spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw said that gaps in data collection and reporting across the UK are "holding back Lynch Syndrome care". The South Belfast MLA stated: "Analysis from Bowel Cancer UK shows that surveillance is routinely offered to all Lynch Syndrome patients in England through the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, but in other parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, barely half of patients receive the same surveillance in line with clinical guidance.

"It is absolutely essential that we reflect on the Bengoa Principles, a fundamental part of which is prevention and early intervention. Surveillance is a critical part of achieving this, and we should not be being left behind on it."