Alliance responds to cancer report

12.00.00am GMT Wed 1st Sep 2004

Responding to the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry report which shows that death rates from many cancers in Ireland are higher than in the rest of Europe, Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA (Strangford) stated:

"Northern Ireland has been at the forefront of developing treatments for cancer, and we are making enormous progress in that respect. However, clearly there is much to be done in persuading people to lead a healthier lifestyle, through keeping fit, eating less fatty foods and more fruit and veg, and stopping smoking.

"It is also important that when someone is diagnosed with cancer that they get the treatment they need more quickly immediately. Sufferers should not have to wait as long as they often do."