Member's statement: Lung Cancer

Member's statement by Ms Claire Sugden on 11 November 2024.

MLA

Ms Claire Sugden

Party at the time

Independent

Date

11 November 2024

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

Lung Cancer

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4667107

Read the official Assembly record

Text

My father passed away on 1 November 2021. Earlier that year, he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. His cancer was likely a consequence of many years of smoking, and, sadly, he realised that. However, he began smoking at a time when it was encouraged and people even suggested that smoking was good for you. His roles in the British Army and the Prison Service made it difficult to stop. He quit about 15 years before his passing, but, unfortunately, the damage had been done.

On 1 November as well, we observe the beginning of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder to all of the devastating impact of the disease and the urgent steps that we need to take to improve outcomes in Northern Ireland. My family and many other families across Northern Ireland are living with that impact. It is cruel yet hopeless to miss someone so much. Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in Northern Ireland. Over 1,000 people are diagnosed annually. Some 74% of cases are detected at late stages, when treatment options are limited, but, by prioritising regular lung health screening and addressing other lung health issues, we can improve outcomes, and not just for lung cancer but for a wide range of respiratory conditions that affect our community. Northern Ireland does not currently offer systematic lung cancer screening, despite evidence showing that targeted, low-dose CT scans can catch lung cancer early in high-risk individuals, such as those over 55 years old or those with a history of smoking. In the United States and Europe, similar programmes have led to a significant increase in early-stage lung cancer diagnosis and improved five-year survival rates. We need to prioritise resources for a lung cancer screening programme that includes people at high risk and extend that model to those with other chronic respiratory issues such as asthma and COPD. Screening and early diagnosis for those conditions would allow for more effective interventions, thus improving quality of life and reducing the strain on our emergency services. Asthma, for example, affects around 182,000 people in Northern Ireland, including many children. Although the condition is often manageable, uncontrolled asthma can lead to severe complications and can be fatal, but, by investing in preventative care for asthma, such as regular check-ups, access to medication and public education, the Government can reduce the need for emergency interventions and help more people lead healthier lives. Many lung cancer patients also have underlying respiratory conditions, which could be detected and help the cancer to be caught early. We need to reduce the stigma around lung cancer. The truth is that anyone can develop it or any respiratory condition. A well-funded public awareness campaign could emphasise how lung health matters for everyone.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:32 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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