NI health: Cancer patient says rapid treatment aided her recovery

Jennifer Dummigan says quick diagnosis and treatment helped her reach a currently cancer-free status, while Cancer Research UK and official figures report long waits and missed targets for many cancer patients in Northern Ireland.

Jennifer Dummigan says quick diagnosis and treatment helped her recovery from oesophageal cancer. She noticed symptoms in December 2023, saw a GP in March, was diagnosed in May and began treatment in July, with surgery in October. Recent scans were reported as showing she is currently cancer free and she attributes the outcome to the speed of care and the hospital team. However, Cancer Research UK and official figures show many patients in Northern Ireland face long waits for diagnosis and treatment. Key facts: - Dummigan's pathway from first GP contact to a treatment plan took five months; she had five weeks of chemotherapy and an oesophagectomy in October. - She reported that recent scans indicate she is currently cancer free and that recovery has included slow progress and minor setbacks. - Cancer Research UK says about 15,400 patients in Northern Ireland began treatment later than the 62-day target in the past five years and predicts around 20,000 people may not start treatment on time over the next five years. - Official statistics for the quarter ending September 2025 show 88.0% met the 31-day target, 30.1% met the 62-day target, and 6.8% met the 14-day urgent breast referral target, all below their respective targets. - The Department of Health said it welcomed the charity's report and is working with trusts to strengthen cancer pathways, improve diagnostic and treatment capacity, and continue tracking patients, with investment referenced through the Elective Care Framework and the NI Cancer Strategy. Summary: Delays in cancer care are reported as reducing prognosis and increasing mortality risk, and Cancer Research UK has called for an emergency stabilisation plan to reduce backlogs and prioritise patients with greatest need. The Department of Health says it is working with trusts on measures such as expanding endoscopy and imaging capacity and better tracking of patients along their cancer pathways.