We are proud to be closely linked with the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, which provides population-based data on cancer in Northern Ireland. The Cancer Registry also hosts data on a number of premalignant conditions:

Barrett’s oesophagus

The Northern Ireland Barrett’s oesophagus register is one of the few population-based registers of individuals diagnosed with Barrett’s oesophagus that exists worldwide. It dates back to 1993, and includes information on over 24,000 individuals diagnosed with this condition by the end of 2018. Barrett’s oesophagus is a pre-cancerous condition that, in a small proportion of patients, may progress to a type of cancer called oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The most recent update of the Northern Ireland Barrett’s oesophagus register has been funded by Cancer Research UK, with previous funding contributions from the Medical Research Council, the HSC R&D Office Northern Ireland & the Ulster Cancer Foundation (now Cancer Focus NI). The register is the foundation for a large body of epidemiological, clinical, and biomarker research.

Staff working in this field:

• Professor Helen Coleman
• Dr Chris Cardwell

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the third most common blood cancer in the UK. Despite considerable treatment advances, MM remains incurable.  MGUS or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is a recognised precursor to MM. At QUB, Dr Charlene McShane is overseeing the development of a population-based MGUS register housed within the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry. This register will provide insight into the epidemiology of MGUS in Northern Ireland as well as the rate of, and factors associated with progression of MGUS to haematological malignancy. Dr McShane is also interested in the psychosocial impact of being diagnosed with precancerous condition and in particular the myeloma precursors MGUS, & smouldering multiple myeloma.

Staff working in this field:

• Dr Charlene McShane

Endometrial hyperplasia

Incidence rates of endometrial cancer, also known as womb cancer, have increased substantially in the UK and other developed countries, including in younger premenopausal women. There is no routine screening for this cancer but endometrial hyperplasia is a recognised precursor and offers opportunities for prevention.

The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) holds a pilot population-based register of endometrial hyperplasia cases diagnosed between 2008-2014. As part of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Dr Úna McMenamin, this register will be expanded to become one of the largest of its kind & record linkages to external population-based datasets will further populate the register with important clinical information (e.g. drug dispensing and maternity records).

The Northern Ireland Endometrial Hyperplasia Register will be used to investigate temporal population trends in endometrial hyperplasia incidence as well as progression to endometrial cancer. It will also be used to assess the long-term benefits & risks of fertility-sparing therapies in younger women with endometrial hyperplasia who do not undergo a hysterectomy. The involvement of patients and clinicians throughout will ensure that the research is clinically relevant.

Academic staff working in this field include:

• Dr Úna McMenamin
• Prof Helen Coleman
• Dr Chris Cardwell