Six hundred local people die from cancer each year.

That stark figure highlights the situation in many Fermanagh homes, where loved ones have sadly lost their lives to the disease.

Across the Western Health and Social Care Trust (HSCT), around 1,300 people are now diagnosed with cancer each year.

The Western HSCT has performed better than the Northern Ireland average in three categories: one year cancer survival, waiting for a diagnostic test and receiving first treatment in 31 days. However, the Western Trust fails to meet its target of 95 per cent of patients receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62 days.

Only 77 per cent of women aged between 50 and 70 who are invited for breast cancer screening attend, despite a target of 80 per cent. 78 per cent of women aged between 25 and 64 invited to cervical cancer screening attend, despite a target of 80 per cent.

These figures were given to Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott by Cancer Research UK when he attended a parliamentary event organised by the charity last week.

The figures show that one year cancer survival in the Western Trust area is 65.3 per cent, which is higher than the Northern Ireland average of 63.2 per cent. However, the Northern Ireland average is lower than in the best performing countries in Europe, therefore, Cancer Research feels that there is “room for improvement”.

A higher proportion of patients wait no more than nine weeks, or 13 weeks where necessary, for a diagnostic test for all suspected diseases, including cancer, in Western HSCT (98.5 per cent) than the Northern Irish average (91.1 per cent).

The percentage of cancer patients treated in Western HSCT that receive their first treatment within 31 days of decision to treat (99.9 per cent) is higher than the Northern Ireland average (97.6 per cent), meeting the 95 per cent target.

More patients (90.1 per cent) in Western HSCT receive their first treatment for cancer within 62 days of an urgent GP referral than the Northern Irish average (82.8 per cent).

However, the waiting time target states that 95 per cent of patients should receive their first treatment for cancer within 62 days.

It was suggested to Mr. Elliott that he ask Western HSCT and the Health and Social Care Board how they are planning to improve cancer waiting times and how they are promoting awareness and information about the cervical and breast cancer screening programmes.

Commenting on the statistics, Mr. Elliott states: “With one in two people now set to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, the charity says the political drive to beat the disease must keep pace with the progress in research.

“UK cancer survival rates are still lagging behind other countries and too many cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat successfully.” At the event, Mr Elliott met some of Cancer Research UK’s dedicated volunteer Campaign Ambassadors and received the above local cancer statistics.

“We must not underestimate the devastating impact cancer will have on people in Fermanagh and South Tyrone now and in the future, so it gives me hope to hear that Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research is turning the tables on the disease,” he said.

“The outlook for new and better cancer treatments in the UK is bright. However, it is clear that there is a critical role for politicians to play in helping to detect cancer earlier and bring innovative new treatments to patients faster.

“One life lost to this terrible disease is one too many and that’s why I’m supporting Cancer Research UK in their mission to beat cancer sooner.” Layla Theiner, Cancer Research UK’s Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning said: “Without increased political support we could see the death toll from cancer rising in the UK and so we’re grateful to Tom Elliott MP for helping to highlight the power of research in beating the disease.

“Survival rates in the UK have doubled in the last 40 years. But there’s still so much more to do and we can’t do it alone.”