Northern Ireland written question – answered at on 10 July 2006.
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been diagnosed with cancer in Northern Ireland in the last three years; what estimate he has made of how many of them have experienced a consequent loss of income; what the estimated average loss of income experienced by cancer patients was in the same period; what financial support is available to cancer patients; and what steps his Department has taken to inform cancer patients of the support available to them.
The following table details the incidence of all cancers (ICD-10 COO-D48) in Northern Ireland for 2001-03, the most recent three year period for which data are available.
All cancers | All cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer( 1) ) | |
2001 | 8,667 | 6,510 |
2002 | 9,114 | 6,737 |
2003 | 9,219 | 6,805 |
Total | 27,000 | 20,052 |
(1) Non-melanoma skin cancers which have an excellent prognosis and are rarely fatal, are frequently excluded when quoting incidence statistics |
This information has been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry.
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has made no estimate of the number of cancer patients experiencing a loss of income following their diagnosis or the average loss of income. Many people find that a diagnosis of cancer affects them financially and, depending on their individual circumstances, they may be entitled to financial assistance in the form of state benefits. Current practice in the HPSS is for nursing staff to discuss these issues with cancer patients and, where appropriate, to refer them to social work staff who will provide advice on social security benefits and sources of information.
The Social Security Agency's Disability and Carer's Service contact centre assists with applications for disability living allowance (DLA), attendance allowance (AA) and carer's allowance. People affected by cancer can also avail of the special rules scheme within DLA and AA which enables terminally ill patients to have their applications fast-tracked. An award of either benefit under special rules will mean the patient will receive the highest rate payable for help with personal care.
The Social Security Agency has worked, in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, to identify and address the barriers facing cancer patients when they need to access benefits. This work has resulted in enhanced cancer awareness training for Agency staff; an information booklet for patients and carers "Help with the Cost of Cancer" was launched in March 2005; and an outreach service of Specialist Benefit Advisers for those with cancer has been piloted.
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