Debate contribution: Breast Cancer: Waiting Times in Upper Bann

Debate contribution by Mr Colin McGrath on 15 October 2024.

MLA

Mr Colin McGrath

Party at the time

Social Democratic and Labour Party

Date

15 October 2024

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Adjournment

Heading

Breast Cancer: Waiting Times in Upper Bann

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4593094

Read the official Assembly record

Text

This is a timely debate on a very important issue. It relates to Upper Bann, but, as the SDLP health spokesperson, I know that breast cancer can impact on people anywhere. We have mentioned the nuances whereby there are slightly different outcomes depending on which trust area you reside in. I know, from various discussions that the Minister has had over the past number of weeks and months, that we have to move away from the silo mentality within different trusts to try to ensure that people get the best possible outcomes no matter where they live. Whilst it is important that outcomes are benchmarked across trusts, we also need to look at the international picture, because I am not so sure that we have the best outcomes here compared with America or other parts of Europe. It is about striving to get the best possible outcome for people — and that outcome is early detection. We know that, with breast cancer and all cancers, early diagnosis gives you the best opportunity to survive. Receiving the information that you have cancer must be absolutely frightening. You can instantly feel like your life is crumbling away from you. It must be even more frightening to hear that you are in the later stages because of delays in the health service. You will know that it would not have had to be that way if the proper resources and services were in place to help. That is not a criticism of the Department, because it can only do what it is doing, and it only has so many people and so many pounds. However, that does not help the person who gets a diagnosis and wonders, "Could that have been picked up quicker?". As John O'Dowd mentioned, it is vital that people can access primary care quicker so that they can be signposted. The important issue is getting the diagnosis. Breast cancer is horrendously cruel. The treatment can be debilitating and life-altering. The medications can make you lose weight and then gain weight. You can lose their your hair from the chemotherapy, and your body will be affected if you have a mastectomy. We are becoming a more image-driven society. Many women experience a real battle whereby they beat the disease but lose their self-image and self-esteem. Early diagnosis is important because, if you survive, there is a life beyond the diagnosis. I want to make a tiny call-out. Breast cancer is a condition that can affect men. Men are also diagnosed with breast cancer. Although the numbers are very small, it is important to throw it in, in case any men who have had breast cancer are listening to the debate. We need to break that stigma. If men find lumps, they need to make their way to their doctor to try to get the all-important treatment. That additional stigma might prevent men from reaching out. I have the utmost admiration for those who have overcome the illness. I want to take a few seconds to reflect on the case of a very close friend and former Member and SDLP party leader, Margaret Ritchie, who suffered from breast cancer. She overcame it. We journeyed with her through that process, and you could see her personal approach in wanting to fight that illness. She was lucky that it was diagnosed relatively early and that a good service was in place to wrap around her. We are so grateful and thankful that she has recovered from that and progressed very well. It would be wrong to have this discussion without mentioning how Margaret has been a beacon for people in South Down — our area — who have seen her journey and seen her joining the support classes in the community. She has provided, through her experiences, a personal story that people have been able to tie into. I absolutely support the debate — it is really important to have it — and I hope that we can get some updates from the Minister on how we can continue to ensure early detection.

680 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:26 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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