Newry Cancer Research group’s Big Breakfast back on the table

Once again it will be hosted by Bellini’s, Merchants Quay, Newry who have provided a welcoming, relaxed venue and a delicious breakfast for the last few years.

The work of Cancer Research UK is conducted by scientists in a laboratory and therefore may not be as well known or as visible as other charities.

Cancer Research is the only charity undertaking research into all 200 known cancers and, thanks to their work, cancer is no longer the death sentence it was 50 years ago. Much has been achieved.

In 1981 the national breast screening programme was introduced and in 2008 young teenage girls started to receive the HIP vaccine which greatly reduced the number of young women dying from breast and cervical cancer.

Bowel screening is also proving successful but it has not as yet become a national programme.

New and less invasive treatments and earlier diagnosis are being developed which has increased the survival rate for cancers such as lung renal esophageal and melanoma.

In August 2024 the Belfast Cancer Research Centre opened the first prostate cancer research clinic on the island of Ireland. In August the centre also embarked on research to develop an earlier diagnosis for bladder cancer, which is only being detected at stage 4 and leads to a poorer prognosis. Local sufferers are able to be involved in trialling these new drugs.

Thanks to the work of the scientists in the Belfast Cancer Centre and their colleagues worldwide there are at present 71,000 sufferers in Northern Ireland living worthwhile lives for much longer with a cancer diagnosis. These include 12,000 men living with prostate cancer and 17,000 women with breast cancer.

All monies collected by the Newry committee are donated to the Belfast Cancer Centre City Hospital. Since the committee was formed in 1981 they have contributed the magnificent sum of £1,250,000

On behalf of all their members past and present, the committee offer their sincere thanks and appreciation to all of their loyal supporters from Newry and the surrounding areas who give up their free time to support the many fundraising events.