There were 13,905 cases of cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Being aware of general signs and symptoms of cancer is important. It can help with earlier detection and treatment.
There were 282 cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Bladder cancer affects men and women, although it is more common in men and more common in the over 50 age group. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
There were 1,399 cases of bowel cancer (colorectal) diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Northern Ireland. Bowel cancer is more common in older people, especially men.
In 2021 there were 173 cases of brain and central nervous system cancers diagnosed in Northern Ireland. Benign brain tumours and malignant primary brain tumours are uncommon. Brain tumours can occur at any age. Generally, the tumours that tend to occur in adults become more common with increasing age. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in Northern Ireland after non-melanoma skin cancer. Breast cancer can occur at any age. However, the risk of developing it increases with age. Most breast cancers occur in women over 50. If it is found early, there is a better chance that treatment will be successful.
There were 1,610 cases of female breast cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. On average 11 cases of male breast cancer are diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year.
There were 82 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. While it is possible for women of all ages to develop cervical cancer, it most commonly occurs in women in their 30s or 40s. It is rare in women under 25.
In Northern Ireland, there were 246 cases of cancer of the womb diagnosed in 2021. Cancer of the womb (uterus) is the most commonly occurring cancer of the female reproductive system, and the fourth most common cancer affecting women. This cancer is also called uterine cancer, or endometrial cancer. Most cases develop in women aged in their 50s or 60s. If endometrial cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a good chance of successful treatment.
There were 360 cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Head and neck cancer is a general term used to cover many different types of cancers. Head and neck cancers include cancers of the mouth (oral cancers) and the throat, as well as rarer cancers of the nose, sinuses, salivary glands and middle ear. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
In Northern Ireland 65 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma each year (on average). Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Only about 1 in 5 of all lymphomas diagnosed (20%) are Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is sometimes called Hodgkin’s disease. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
There were 273 cases of kidney cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Kidney cancer is more common in men than women. Around 3 out of 4 people diagnosed with kidney cancer are aged 60 or older; kidney cancer is rare in people under 50. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
In Northern Ireland 259 people are diagnosed with leukaemia each year (on average). Leukaemia is a cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. There are many different types of leukaemia which affects the type of treatment provided. Some forms of leukaemia are more common in children.
There were 177 cases of liver cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Primary liver cancer is a rare but serious type of cancer that begins in the liver.
There were 1,324 cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Northern Ireland. It is more common in people over 50. Although it is more common in smokers, around one in eight people with lung cancer has never smoked. Finding lung cancer early improves the chances of successful treatment.
In Northern Ireland 173 people are diagnosed with myeloma each year (on average). Myeloma (also known asmultiple myeloma) is a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Bone marrow is found inside the bones where blood cells are made. Myeloma happens when the bone marrow makes certain blood cells (plasma cells) that do not work properly.
Myeloma can affect different parts of the body including the kidneys and immune system. Myeloma is more common with advancing age and cannot usually be cured, but it can be managed with treatment.
In Northern Ireland in 2021, a total of 45 people were diagnosed with malignant (cancerous) melanoma. In the same year, 3,392 people were diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer. Like most cancers it is more common in older people. But melanoma is more common in younger people in their teens and 20s than some other cancers. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
There were 390 cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. There are many different types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Some grow very slowly and may not need treatment for months or years. Other types grow quickly and need treatment soon after diagnosis. The various types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are divided into high-grade (fast growing) and low-grade (slow growing). Overall, most cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are considered very treatable.
In Northern Ireland in 2017, a total of 226 people were diagnosed with oesophageal (gullet) cancer. In the same year, 214 people were newly diagnosed with gastric (stomach) cancer.
Stomach and gullet cancer is medically known as oesophago-gastric (OG) cancer. Oesophageal cancer is cancer of the gullet (food pipe). Gastric cancer is cancer of the stomach.
There were 183 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Most cases of ovarian cancer (but not all) are diagnosed in women who have gone through menopause. The earlier ovarian cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the better chance of survival. Some of the symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar to those seen in more common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, so GPs may find it hard to diagnose. It is important to remember that cervical screening tests (smear tests) will not help to detect ovarian cancer.
There were 1,414 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Men under 50 have a very low risk of prostate cancer, but their risk increases as they get older. Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. It’s estimated that about 80% of men in their 80s will have some degree of prostate cancer. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
There were 72 cases of sarcoma diagnosed during in Northern Ireland in 2021. There are two types of sarcoma; bone sarcoma (sometimes known as primary bone cancer) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Both soft tissue and bone cancer are rare in Northern Ireland. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.
There were 56 cases of testicular cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2021. Testicular cancer usually affects young or middle-aged men. The earlier testicular cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the better chance of survival. Treatment for testicular cancer is very effective and nearly all men are cured.
Cancer is rare in teenagers and young adults. However, if you are worried about any changes to your body, it’s important to get these checked out. At the end of this section, you can find links to organisations that can offer information and support in relation to teenage and young adult cancers.
