Member's statement: Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week 2025

Member's statement by Mr Stewart Dickson on 13 January 2025.

MLA

Mr Stewart Dickson

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

13 January 2025

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week 2025

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4737829

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I rise today to mark a very important week. Today marks the beginning of Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week 2025. Across the world, six cancers make up those known as the less survivable cancers, namely stomach, oesophageal, liver, pancreatic, brain and lung. Those cancers have just a 16% survival rate. This week is a vital occasion that reminds us all of the realities faced by many individuals battling cancers that often go unnoticed and underfunded. This week is a time not just for reflection but for action, awareness and commitment to the fight against these cancers that take far too many lives. Statistics tell the harsh truth. Less survivable cancers, such as pancreatic, liver and oesophageal, not only bear a heavy emotional weight on those who have been diagnosed with them but place a significant burden on our healthcare systems and the families of those who have had that diagnosis. Unlike some of the more common cancers, these conditions often receive less public attention, resulting in diminished research funding and limited treatment options. It is our duty to shine a light on these cancers, ensuring proper funding and recognition. In December 2024, I marked a personal milestone, celebrating five years cancer-free following successful surgery for one of those less survivable cancers.

We know that early diagnosis, in the case of all cancers, gives the best chance for survival. Sadly, with the less survivable cancers, diagnosis is often made all too late, and the cancer is, therefore, much harder to treat. Over 20% of oesophageal cancer cases are diagnosed in emergency settings. Unfortunately, at that stage, the cancer has often progressed and cannot be treated. This week, I urge people to educate themselves and those around them, to promote awareness and to support organisations that prioritise the six less survivable cancers. This week is an opportunity to confront the stigma and to amplify the voices of those affected by less survivable cancers: stomach, oesophageal, liver, pancreatic, brain and lung. Let us strive for a future where no cancer is deemed to be less survivable. I commend all the charities that are dedicated to those cancers. We demand focus and attention from the Minister and the Department of Health. We want every individual faced with a diagnosis in Northern Ireland to be given the best chance to fight, survive and thrive. Thank you, on behalf of all the amazing charities that support less survivable cancers, such as OGCancerNI (Oesophageal and Stomach), Pancreatic Cancer UK, Guts UK, Liver Cancer UK, Brainwaves NI and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

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

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:42 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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