Clondermot had topcancer rate in city

Clondermot also suffered the fourth highest cancer death rate (0.88 per cent; 25 deaths) over the same period.

Today the Sentinel can reveal the top ten highest rates of cancer in the city over the two year period.

Based on incidence the worst affected wards in the city were: Clondermot (3.72 per cent); Pennyburn (3.71 per cent); Beechwood (3.63 per cent); Westland (3.19 per cent); Ballynashallog (2.97 per cent); Victoria (2.82 per cent); Caw (2.80 per cent); Brandywell (2.69 per cent); Lisnagelvin (2.67 per cent); and Ebrington (2.53 per cent).

And based on death the worst affected wards were Brandywell (1.13 per cent); Pennyburn (1.06 per cent); Westland (0.92 per cent); Clondermot (0.88 per cent); Ballynashallog (0.87 per cent); Beechwood (0.77 per cent); Caw (0.74 per cent); The Diamond (0.73 per cent); Strand (0.72 per cent); and Carnhill (0.68 per cent).

The figures were revealed by an SDLP analysis of cancer rates in Londonderry.

The party compared the number of cancer incidences, treatments and deaths taking account of ward populations.

It followed calls from the Enagh Youth Forum for a study into the high number of cancer incidences in the heavily industrialised Strathfoyle, Maydown and Culmore areas.

Last April the Sentinel reported Strathfoyle community worker Eamon O’Donnell’s call for an inquiry into possible links between heavy industry and cancer.

The call followed the Sentinel’s revelation that the Enagh and Culmore wards had the highest number of incidences in the city between 2007 and 2009.

The Sentinel showed that 108 people were diagnosed with cancer in the Enagh Ward between 2007 and 2009.

Only in Culmore - directly across the River Foyle from the heavily industrialised Strathfoyle and Maydown area - was there a higher number of incidences (139).

Twenty-nine people died in Culmore and 25 died in Enagh during the 2008-2010 period.

But the SDLP have pointed out that Culmore is by far the biggest ward in Londonderry with a population of 9,612, according to figures for 2010.

The party pointed out that it was not over-represented in terms of cancer in proportion to its population.

Equally, Enagh is the fourth largest ward (4,939) and thus both, the SDLP says, would be expected to rank highly in terms of incidences and deaths.

The SDLP explained that the percentage of incidences against population was 1.45 per cent for Culmore and the rate of deaths by population there (0.30 per cent) - was one of the lowest in the city.

The party provided a breakdown of incidences and deaths against population allowing a comparison of cancer rates across the city.

Last April the Sentinel revealed the highest number of cancer deaths by ward in the city.

The figures were: Altnagelvin 30; Ballynashallog 30; Brandywell 29; Culmore 29; Pennyburn 29; Strand 27; Clondermot 25; Enagh 25; Holly Mount 25; New Buildings 22; Lisnagelvin 21; Crevagh 21; Ebrington 20; Carn Hill 20; Caw 19; Eglinton 19; Westland 19; Victoria 18; Beechwood 18; The Diamond 17; Kilfennan 16; Rosemount 16; Creggan Central 14; Shantallow West 13; Creggan South 12; Shantallow East 11; and Springtown 11.

The paper also revealed the highest number of cancer incidences by ward: Culmore 139; Enagh 108; Clondermot 106; Altnagelvin 102; Ballynashallog 102; Pennyburn 101; Shantallow West 101; Lisnagelvin 91; Foyle Spring 86; Victoria 86; Beechwood 85; Eglinton 84; Strand 78; Ebrington 75; Crevagh 75; New Buildings 73; Caw 72; Brandywell 69; Holly Mount 67; Westland 66; Kilfennan 66; Creggan Central 61; Carn Hill 59; Rosemount 58; Springtown 58; Creggan South 49; and The Diamond 48