Patients with breast cancer are more likely to receive treatment from expert cancer teams thanks to a major shake-up in Northern Ireland's cancer services, a new report has claimed.

The report, which compares services provided in 1996 with those of 2001, reveals that patients are more likely to be investigated and operated on by multidisciplinary teams than in 1996.

Each year 877 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Northern Ireland and about 300 deaths are recorded, the number of deaths is falling as survival improves.

There was more information about the extent of a patient's cancer, which in turn has led to more appropriate treatments, while discussions with patients and their families were more likely to be recorded, leading to improved communication with GPs and other care providers.

"Waiting times were reduced and there was increased involvement in clinical trials. More women were referred to a breast care nurse indicating better availability of these services," said Cancer Registry director, Dr Anna Gavin.

The report, launched by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry today, is the second in a series monitoring changes in cancer services recommended by Chief Medical Officer.

It is being launched at a conference in the Waterfront Hall organised by the Royal Society of Medicine.

(MB/SP)