A PREDICTED rise in the number of cancer patients has led to the announcement of a new cancer strategy for Northern Ireland.
Figures predict incidences of the disease in Northern Ireland to increase by almost two-thirds by 2035.
The Department of Health said the central goal will be to identity new ways of working to ensure more advances across cancer care.
Permanent Secretary Richard Pengelly said: “Significant progress has been made over the past 20 years in developing cancer services in Northern Ireland.
“This has involved investing in a wide range of preventative, treatment and care programmes that have contributed to improvements in survival rates for cancer patients.
“However, the anticipated demographic change in forthcoming years means there is likely to be a significant growth in demand for cancer services, and we must prepare for these challenges."
Discussions are planned with cancer charity representatives on the commissioning of the strategy and the potential development of a task force.
The news has been welcomed by charities Cancer Focus NI, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.
Roisin Foster, chief executive of Cancer Focus NI, said the last strategy was published 10 years ago and figures predict incidences will rise by almost two thirds by 2035.
Margaret Carr, public affairs manager for Cancer Research UK in Northern Ireland, said the charity had been campaigning for a new cancer strategy since 2015 and this was "much longed-for news".
Meanwhile, Heather Monteverde, head of services for Macmillan in Northern Ireland said, they were looking forward to a meeting later this month about the potential development of a task force model.
The department said the implementation of the new strategy will be the responsibility of a future health minister.
