AQW 52539/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 21/09/2026
Answered On Date: 06/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the Northern Ireland Cancer Network Gynaecology Clinical Reference Group review of the primary care guidance for suspected gynaecological cancers.

Answer:

The Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICaN) Gynaecology Clinical Reference Group (CRG) is currently reviewing the regional primary care suspected cancer referral guidance for gynaecological cancers. Draft guidance is being developed and no changes have been agreed to date.

The review is focused initially on ovarian cancer and post-menopausal bleeding pathways and is being undertaken to ensure that regional referral guidance remains aligned with current evidence, best practice and national guidance. This includes consideration of the April 2026 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) updates on the recognition and referral of suspected ovarian cancer, including recommendations relating to CA125 testing and diagnostic pathways.

The work is being led by a multidisciplinary group with representation from primary care and all five Health and Social Care Trusts. NICaN is also assessing the potential impact of any proposed changes on diagnostic services to ensure revised pathways are clinically appropriate and deliverable.

Any proposed revisions will be subject to established clinical review and governance processes. Subject to completion of these processes, revised ovarian cancer referral guidance is expected to be issued in early 2027 and will be communicated to General Practitioners through established professional channels.