SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
Ms McLaughlin was responding to a new report by Target Ovarian Cancer entitled ‘Pathfinder Northern Ireland: Faster, further and fairer’.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The simple truth is that earlier diagnosis of ovarian cancer saves lives, yet our survival rates here in Northern Ireland are among the worst in Europe.
“It is vital that we tackle the misconceptions and barriers that exist when it comes to ovarian cancer at every stage of a patient’s journey and ensure all women have access to the care they need and deserve.
“Since the charity’s first report in 2017, it is worrying that there has been slow progress on the awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which include bloating, abdominal or pelvic pain, loss of appetite and the need to visit the bathroom more.
“It is also concerning that almost half, 46%, of women in Northern Ireland wrongly believe that cervical screening detects ovarian cancer.
“We need to do much more to raise awareness, as well as invest in primary care so that GPs can access diagnostic tests and crucially receive results in a timely way.
“Of course, the Department of Health’s Ten Year Cancer Strategy must be given the resources that it needs to properly invest in services and campaigns to improve on this issue.
“I also continue to lobby for a dedicated Women’s Health Strategy so that women in Northern Ireland do not fall further behind the rest of these islands when it comes to all the issues surrounding our healthcare.”
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