3,890 patients seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral
Date published:
New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department of Health (DoH) present information on cancer waiting times in Northern Ireland for the quarter ending 31 March 2026.
Key findings
In the quarter ending 31 March 2026:
- 3,890 patients were seen by a breast cancer specialist following an urgent referral for suspect breast cancer across all five Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts. This was 0.3% (12) fewer than in the previous quarter.
- 7.9% (306) of these patients were seen within 14 days of their urgent referral for breast cancer, compared with 5.5% (213) in the previous quarter.
- 2,954 patients started their first definitive treatment. This was 0.4% (11) fewer than in the previous quarter.
- 87.3% (2,580) of those patients started treatment within 31 days of a decision to treat, compared with 90.1% (2,672) in the previous quarter.
About this publication
This statistical release provides an overview of waiting times for cancer services at hospitals in Northern Ireland for the quarter ending 31 March 2026.
Data on patients starting treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral are undergoing further validation and will be published separately in due course.
Further information
Read the full report: Northern Ireland cancer waiting times
View data tables and background information: Northern Ireland waiting time statistics: cancer waiting times January - March 2026 | Department of Health