Belfast has hosted the All‑Island Cancer Data Forum 2026 under the eHealth Hub for Cancer, an all‑island research programme led by Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Limerick, to advance data‑driven cancer research and innovation across the island.
Bringing together government, research, patient, clinical and policy leaders, the Forum agreed the urgent need for decisive, co‑ordinated measures to reduce the cancer burden by improving shared data standards, governance and digital infrastructure. The goal is to speed up cancer control efforts across Ireland and Northern Ireland, ensuring data is used safely, ethically and effectively to improve outcomes.
Leaders endorsed Harnessing Cancer Data for Better Health, a seven‑point roadmap that positions Ireland and Northern Ireland as a global leader in cancer data. Central to the plan is the creation of an All‑Island Cancer Data Innovation Co‑Centre – a flagship initiative designed to unite expertise, standardise datasets, and drive translational research that benefits patients on both sides of the border.
The roadmap focuses on:
- Common data standards and governance to enable trusted sharing and interoperability
- Robust digital infrastructure to support secure, privacy‑preserving data access
- Capacity building and skills across clinical, research and technical teams
- Patient‑centred frameworks for consent, transparency and public trust
- Rapid pathways from data to impact, turning insights into improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment
The Forum will work with partners to enhance north–south data sharing in key areas, including:
- Genomics and tumour imaging data to support precision medicine
- Cancer treatment options and real‑world evidence to inform best practice
- Co‑ordinated clinical trial enrolment to widen access and accelerate innovation
This joined‑up approach aims to reduce duplication, improve research quality, and expand access to cutting‑edge trials and therapies for patients across the island.
Mike Nesbitt, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Health, said:
“I am delighted to welcome the All-Island Cancer Data Forum to Belfast. Our recent successful implementation of the encompass programme across Northern Ireland is already driving a digital transformation across our health service.
“We also recently launched the Cancer Research Framework Strategy which has a significant data component, and I am pleased Professor Lawler will be co-leading its implementation. Data informed cancer research and innovation leads to better outcomes for our patients.”
Cancer is the leading cause of death across the island of Ireland, accounting for around 30% of all annual deaths. Without urgent action, new cancer diagnoses are projected to double by 2045, driven by population ageing and rising risk factors. The Forum’s plan seeks to bend this curve by aligning policy, technology and clinical practice behind a shared mission: better, faster, fairer cancer care for everyone.
The eHealth Hub for Cancer, led by Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Limerick, provides the programme framework for the Forum’s work — aligning universities, health services, policymakers and patient voices in a single, all‑island effort. By embedding collaboration and transparency in its design, the Hub aims to unlock the full value of health data while maintaining strong safeguards for privacy and ethics.
Image credit: iStock
