Ulster Unionist Party Health spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has said that it is unacceptable that almost one year after an Assembly debate highlighting delays in diagnosing ovarian cancer, senior health officials have only now contacted local GPs highlighting NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidance and best practice. 

Mr Beggs said: 

“One year ago Assembly Members were advised by Target Ovarian Cancer that 42% of GPs in Northern Ireland were unaware of the NICE guidance which had been issued 2 years earlier. I was shocked to learn that it was only this week, on the very day that Department of Health officials were presenting to the Assembly’s Health Committee on ovarian cancer, that a letter had finally been sent to local GPs. 

“It is unacceptable that it has taken so long to bring about improvements and to highlight new tests to those GPs who were apparently unaware of NICE guidance. In Northern Ireland there are approximately 160 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year and 120 deaths. 

“I welcome the fact that improved pathways for those who are suspected of suffering from ovarian cancer have finally been indicated to GPs, but the slowness of the local Health Service to adopt best practice as recommended by NICE gives me cause for great concern. Why has it taken so long to highlight to GPs the NICE guidance on diagnosing the fourth most common female cancer? 

“The charity, Targeting Ovarian Cancer, have advised that a third of women are being diagnosed with ovarian cancer when they are admitted to A&E when advanced symptoms become apparent. 30% of women suffering from the condition were being incorrectly initially diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Indeed, some 75% are diagnosed when the cancer has already spread and treatment outcomes are poor.”