Debate contribution: Cancer: Mid-Ulster
Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on .
- MLA
- Mr Robbie Butler
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 12 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Cancer: Mid-Ulster
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5786343
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for his question. I assure him that the Department takes concerns regarding suspected cancer clusters very seriously and recognises the impact they can have on local communities. There is no higher priority than ensuring that any potential public health risk is properly investigated and addressed. Departmental officials first became aware of concerns regarding a suspected cluster of childhood cancer cases in the mid-Ulster area in July 2025. The Public Health Agency was asked to work with the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to assess whether there were any unusual patterns or rates of childhood or rare cancers in the area, compared with those expected across Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry analysed validated cancer incidence data up to the end of 2023 and concluded that incidence rates of childhood cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, among children aged from zero to 14 living in the mid-Ulster area, were not significantly higher than the Northern Ireland average. Unfortunately, validated incidence data is currently available only up until 2023. My predecessor was briefed by the Public Health Agency, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and a senior clinical specialist from the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and was assured of the robustness of the analysis undertaken. I am also being briefed on the issue and will continue to be kept informed of any developments. The Public Health Agency continues to monitor the incidence of childhood cancers and is working with the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to improve data timelines. I will keep the matter under review as further validated data becomes available. The Member will be aware that my office is arranging a meeting with him, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss his concerns further.
287 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Awaiting analysis
This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.