This includes how diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services were provided before, during and after the pandemic. As part of the study, the NICR has launched an online anonymous survey.

This survey is open to men and women from Northern Ireland and across the world who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have been under care or follow-up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 1,400 women and 11 men in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Information that participants provide will help shape the delivery of cancer services following COVID-19 and prepare for future pandemics or major healthcare disruptions in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Participants can also indicate if they would like to take part in a one-time individual interview to further describe their experiences and make recommendations.

Professor Anna Gavin, the project lead said: “Although we don’t know the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer services and patients, we know that breast cancer treatment and screening have been disrupted, affecting access to patient services and support.”

Dr Damien Bennett, Queen’s University Belfast Northern Ireland Cancer Registry Director said: “This survey will enable us to build an accurate and detailed picture of how patients have been affected by the pandemic. By harnessing the voices of breast cancer patients, we can learn from their experiences and help improve cancer services and care both now and in the future.”

The research is funded by Breast Cancer Now (BCN) and in partnership with the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast.

Further information and access to the survey can be found here.

Media

Media inquiries to Sian Devlin at s.devlin@qub.ac.uk