4,000 Die From Cancer In The North In 2008

These findings were contained in provisional 2008 mortality figures released last week by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

In 2008, over half of all deaths were caused by three main diseases; cancer (4,000 deaths), ischaemic heart disease (2,400 deaths) and stroke (1,300 deaths).  

Whilst ischaemic heart disease deaths halved from 4,800 in 1978 to 2,400 last year; cancer deaths have risen from 2,900 in 1978 to 4,000 last year.

Over the last few years there have been marked increases in deaths recorded due to Alzheimer's and other dementia related illnesses; conditions largely associated with the elderly.  

In 2008, there were 290 deaths due to Alzheimer's disease and a further 520 deaths due to other forms of dementia.  

Deaths related to healthcare-associated infection also increased last year.  For example deaths where Clostridium difficile was mentioned on the death certificate more than doubled to 190 deaths last year.

A NISRA spokesperson said that: "The number of deaths recorded in Northern Ireland increased marginally last year.  However detailed analysis shows that mortality rates today are significantly less than those seen thirty years ago. Cancer continues to be the most common cause of death. As the population ages we are also witnessing an increase in the number of Alzheimer's and other dementia related deaths."