Death by postcode
LONDONDERRY cancer campaigner Karen Mullan says shocking city death rates revealed in today’s Sentinel underline the vital importance of having a radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin.
Strathfoyle community worker Eamon O’Donnell has also called for an inquiry into possible links between heavy industry and cancer as the Sentinel reveals two of the most industrialised areas of Londonderry had the highest cancer rates in the city between 2007 and 2009.
A shocking breakdown of cancer rates - revealed inside today’s paper - show every single community has suffered cancer deaths in double figures since 2007. In some areas at least 30 people have died in the last five years.
Between 2008 and 2010 575 people (roughly one in 188) have died from cancer in Londonderry. And between 2007 and 2009 2,212 (one in 50) have been diagnosed with the illness in the city.
Ms Mullan of Londonderry’s Pink Ladies organisation which spearheaded the campaign to secure a dedicated radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin said the figures showed the acute need for cancer services in the North West.
Mr O’Donnell of Enagh Youth Forum said he was shocked and alarmed by the statistics which show that 108 people were diagnosed with cancer in the Enagh Ward between 2007 and 2009.
Only in Culmore - directly across the River Foyle from the heavily industrialised Strathfoyle and Maydown area - was there a higher cancer rate with 139 incidences. Twenty-nine people died in Culmore and 25 died in Enagh during the 2008-2010 period.
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Weather for Londonderry
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
