Cancer Focus Northern Ireland has launched a five-point manifesto ahead of the May 2027 Assembly elections, calling for urgent improvements in cancer treatment, support, early diagnosis, prevention, and delivery of the existing Cancer Strategy.

Director of Prevention, Policy and Research Nora Smith said the manifesto focuses on addressing cancer waiting times, with a call for a recovery plan to achieve the 62-day treatment standard and for waiting-time measurements to cover every referral route. The charity says less than 30% of people are currently seen within the 62-day timeframe for GP red-flag referrals.

For rural communities, access to support is a key concern. Cancer Focus deliberately chose Enniskillen as the location for its first community cancer centre because of challenges faced by people living in rural areas, according to Smith. People in rural areas are not always within easy reach of services and support available in cities.

The Enniskillen centre recorded more than 3,500 visits in its first year, demonstrating demand for locally accessible support. Smith described the drop-in model as important, allowing anyone in the town centre to speak to someone with experience and expertise at any time.

Smith said this figure is likely the tip of the iceberg in terms of support required, and Cancer Focus plans to develop the centre model elsewhere across Northern Ireland.

The charity is calling for greater investment in early diagnosis, including targeted lung cancer screening and lowering the bowel cancer screening age from 60 to 50. Smith noted that Northern Ireland lags behind other parts of the UK in bowel screening, while lung cancer remains the biggest cancer killer in the region, with nearly three people dying from it every day.

Prevention measures in the manifesto include greater investment in smoking cessation, a new Tobacco and Vapes Strategy, minimum unit pricing for alcohol, and a ban on commercial sunbeds.

The charity also seeks a fully costed Cancer Action Plan, multi-year funding, and a larger cancer workforce. Smith said political support for the manifesto has been strong among local councillors, MLAs, and MPs, but that words of encouragement must move to action.

Cancer Focus is encouraging the public across Fermanagh and South Tyrone to sign its petition and ask political candidates what they will do to prioritise cancer services during the next Assembly mandate.