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Fears Brexit could delay delivery of vital cancer products
Top-level plans are being drawn up to try to avoid a risk to cancer patients in Irish hospitals in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which could cause a shortage of life-saving products vital to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. There is particular concern around the prompt supply of t... Read more →
'My life was saved' - Actor Stephen Fry confirms he is 'fit and well' after prostate cancer
Actor and writer Stephen Fry has announced that he has recovered from prostate cancer after undergoing surgery early last month. The 61-year-old posted a video on his website to tell fans that he is now "fit and well and happy". His cancer was discovered when he went to his doctor to get the flu j... Read more →
10 reasons to exercise during chemotherapy
Earlier this year, the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), issued formal guidelines recommending exercise as part of cancer treatment, for all cancer patients. Among the recommendations they said that: "Best practice cancer care should include referral to an accredited exercise physiolo... Read more →
Cervical cancer: Get to know the symptoms
When I was 24 I noticed that I was bleeding in between periods and after sex. I was on the contraceptive pill at the time so my GP assumed it was a hormonal imbalance of some sort. When the bleeding didn't stop, I went back to my GP and I was then referred to a gynaecologist in my local... Read more →
'If I hadn't gone to the GP I'd be dead' - lung cancer survivor Tony Walsh
Lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer. Late detection reduces survival rates, so we need to start listening to our lungs in order to spot the early signs. When Tony Walsh had a persistent cough for a few weeks, he put it down to a flu. It turned out he had lung cancer and he's now bac... Read more →
12 facts about breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumour found in Irish women, with 2,883 cases diagnosed each year. One in 10 women will get it at some stage in their lives. While it's most commonly detected after the age of 50, it can occur in younger women too, writes Dr Reem Salman. Some breast ca... Read more →
11 activity goals for during and after cancer treatment
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, exercise may be the last thing on their mind. However, Ailish Daly, clinical specialist physiotherapist in oncology care at the Beacon Hospital, believes staying active can prove to be helpful, both during and after treatment There are more than 150,000 pe... Read more →
New treatment hope for breast cancer
Irish scientists have discovered a potential new approach to treating triple negative breast cancer, which is currently one of the most difficult forms of breast cancer to treat. The research was led by scientists from BREAST-PREDICT - a country-wide collaboration between breast cancer experts that... Read more →
New 10-year cancer strategy launched
A new 10-year National Cancer Strategy has been launched by the Government. The strategy, which will run from 2017 to 2026, will focus on the prevention of cancer, early diagnosis of the disease, the provision of optimal care to patients and maximising their quality of life. According to the Minis... Read more →
Cancer patients urged to ask about drug trials
The number of cancer patients taking part in cancer drug trials should be doubled from its current 3% to 6%, Cancer Trials Ireland has said. It is calling on the Government to support this call and is also urging patients to ask their doctor about drug trials that may benefit them. Cancer Trials I... Read more →
Vaccine could prevent most HPV-related cancers
HPV infection causes up to 130 cancer deaths in Ireland every year, however most of these are potentially preventable as a result of the HPV vaccine, a new report has found. There are many types of HPV (human papillomavirus), most of which are harmless. However some strains can be serious, such as ... Read more →
500+ cancers detected by BowelScreen
Over 500 cancers were detected by the National Bowel Screening Programme, BowelScreen, between October 2012 and December 2015, a new report has shown. However, uptake of the programme remains low, with just 40% of those invited during this period taking up the offer of screening. Around 2,500 peop... Read more →
Bowel cancer very treatable if caught early
Bowel cancer is ‘extremely treatable' if caught early, so it is essential that people can recognise the signs and symptoms of the disease, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and during this time, the ICS will be working to raise awareness of the dis... Read more →
Waist-to-hip ratio linked to womb cancer
Women who have a higher hip-to-waist ratio may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the womb, a new study has found. The findings strongly suggest that central obesity may have a key role to play in this type of cancer. Central obesity refers to when the majority of body fat is stored aro... Read more →
4 million cancer deaths avoided in EU since 1988
Over four millions deaths from cancer have been avoided in the European Union (EU) since the late 1980s, thanks to improvements in prevention, detection and treatments, a major new study has found. The research also makes predictions for 2017 and notes than while fewer women will die from cancer in... Read more →
Walking benefits advanced cancer patients
People with advanced cancer could enjoy an improved quality of life if they walked for just 30 minutes, three times a week, a new study has found. According to UK researchers, ‘rather than shying away from exercise, people with advanced disease should be encouraged to be more active and incor... Read more →
Warning about cancer misinformation
A lot of information about cancer is inaccurate and misleading and can cause more harm than good, a leading doctor has warned. According to Dr Robert O'Connor, head of research at the Irish Cancer Society, a diagnosis of cancer can be devastating for all those involved, with many feeling overwhelme... Read more →
Public talk on lung cancer to take place
Over 2,300 people in Ireland will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year and many of these will not survive more than five years because the disease will have been detected at an advanced stage, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. It is holding a public talk later this month to highlight the ... Read more →
Bowel cancer 'missed' in 13 patients
Thirteen patients who were tested for bowel cancer at Wexford General Hospital were incorrectly given the all-clear for the disease, it has emerged. According to a report by the HSE, all of the patients had undergone colonoscopies - an examination of the interior lining of the bowel - at the hospit... Read more →
Sunbeds users get cancer at younger age
People who use sunbeds are not only at an increased risk of developing the most deadly type of skin cancer, they also tend to develop the disease at a younger age compared to non-users, a new study has found. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and around 900 new cases are diagnosed in... Read more →
Cancer has big impact on mental health
Cancer has a major impact on the mental health of patients, with as many as four in five survivors suffering with anxiety and/or depression a year after their diagnosis, a new study has found. Researchers in Malaysia looked at 1,362 patients, almost a third of whom had breast cancer. The participan... Read more →
Breast cancer trial needs Irish patients
The Irish arm of a major international breast cancer trial is seeking 50 patients in Dublin, Cork and Waterford to take part. The trial will involve 4,600 patients in 500 hospitals around the world, including six in Ireland - the Mater Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, St James's Hospital, St Vincent's ... Read more →
New treatment can slow breast cancer growth
An international cancer trial involving Irish doctors and patients has confirmed that a new treatment can significantly reduce the risk of cancer progressing in women with advanced breast cancer. The PALOMA-2 trial has found that the new drug palbociclib, when taken with the standard hormone therap... Read more →
Big weight gain over years ups cancer risk
Significant weight gain over a number of years can increase a person's risk of obesity-related cancers by over 50%, a new study has found. UK researchers looked at more than 300,000 people in America over a 15-year period. All were aged between 18 and 65 and while some had gained a little weight du... Read more →
1 in 6 have no lump before breast cancer diagnosis
Around one in six women diagnosed with breast cancer initally attends their doctor with a symptom other than a lump, a new study has found. Lumps are the most commonly reported symtpom of breast cancer, but UK researchers decided to look at the frequency of non-lump symptoms, such as breast pain, n... Read more →
Irish team in breast cancer breakthrough
Irish scientists may have discovered a way of treating one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most difficult forms of breast cancer to treat. It is more prevalent in younger women and around 250 people are newly diagnosed with the disease ever... Read more →
Low awareness of alcohol link to breast cancer
The link between alcohol and breast cancer is well established but public awareness of this remains low, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has warned. According to the charity, every year in Ireland, around 900 new cancers and 500 cancer deaths can be attributed to alcohol use and the risk is particul... Read more →
More surviving breast cancer than ever before
More women are surviving breast cancer today than ever before, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout October, the ICS is looking back on 40 years of research into this disease in order to highlight the many advances that have been m... Read more →
New cancer institute for Ireland
A new cancer institute, the first of its kind in Ireland, is to be developed by Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and St James's Hospital. The incidence of cancer in Ireland is projected to double by 2040 and this new institute, which will be located at St James's, will serve a population of 1.4 million... Read more →
Passive smoking in youth can increase lung cancer risk
Non-smokers who were exposed to passive smoking in early life are at an increased risk of getting lung cancer, but only if they have genetic factors, a conference on cancer has been told. This risk was also associated with an earlier onset of the disease, in a person’s 50s rather than 60s, ac... Read more →
Conference on cancer survivorship
A major conference on cancer survivorship is being held in Dublin later this month. Living Well With Cancer aims to address the many needs of cancer survivors nationwide. It will look at topics such as advances in treatment, the psychological impact of the disease and fertility issues. The co... Read more →
Night shifts do not increase breast cancer risk
Working night shifts has little or no effect on a woman's risk of developing breast cancer, new research has found. A review carried out in 2007 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stated that shift work disrupts the ‘body clock' and is a probable cause of cancer. Howev... Read more →
Call for fund to open more cancer trials
The body tasked with coordinating cancer trials in this country has called for the establishment of a €1 million fund to enable cancer specialists to open more trials here. Cancer Trials Ireland was established in 1996 and since then, more than 15,000 people have participated in over 350 cance... Read more →
Many unaware of metastatic breast cancer
While familiarity with breast cancer is relatively high, many women have never heard of metastatic breast cancer or are unaware what the term means, a new survey has revealed. Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. It refers to when the disease has spread to other par... Read more →
Breastfeeding lowers breast cancer death risk
Women who develop breast cancer may have a better chance of survival if they previously breastfed for at least six months, a new study suggests. Researchers in Norway and Sweden looked at almost 350 women who had undergone surgery for primary breast cancer 20 years before and found that mortality (... Read more →
Breast cancer risk from HRT 'underestimated'
The risks of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have been underestimated, experts have said. Women taking combined HRT to combat the effects of the menopause are more likely to develop breast cancer, with risk increasing the longer it is used, the study found. The new study, published in ... Read more →
Experts to address cancer vaccine concerns
Around 280 women in Ireland will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and some 90 will die from the disease in 2016, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. A further 6,500 women will need hospital treatment to remove pre-cancerous growths in their cervix, the society noted. It is holding two public... Read more →
Recruitment for cancer trials needs new boost
Recruitment for cancer trials in Ireland needs to be boosted, a new study has concluded. Research conducted by the Medical Oncology Unit of the Mater Hospital revealed that 5pc of cpatients enrolled in a cancer clinical trial. But it stressed that the majority of such patients (71pc) did... Read more →
Drug could extend lives of cancer patients
Up to 80 people a year could be given a new lease of life as a radical new drug for treating some forms of blood cancer is helping patients live up to four years longer. Following successful clinical trials in Ireland, the drug Imbruvica is now available for a range of elderly patients with l... Read more →
New cancer drug now available in Ireland 'offers hope' for patients with rare blood cancers
A new cancer drug has been made available to Irish patients with three rare forms of blood cancer following a successful trial last year. Imbruvica, the brand name for ibrutinib, is a once-daily oral treatment that has been proven to prolong survival for adult patients with relapsed or refractory... Read more →
Cancer Trials Ireland launches info videos
A series of videos aimed at people who may be considering taking part in a cancer trial has been launched. The six videos come from Cancer Trials Ireland, which is responsible for coordinating cancer trials in this country. Since its establishment in 1996, over 15,000 people have participated in mo... Read more →
New breast cancer trial begins
The Irish part of a European breast cancer trial, which aims to test the effectiveness of a new combination of drugs, has been opened by Cancer Trials Ireland. Cancer Trials Ireland coordinates cancer trials in this country. Since its establishment in 1996, over 15,000 people have participated in m... Read more →
Cancer risk before and after diabetes diagnosis
People with diabetes may have an increased risk of developing cancer before and immediately after their diagnosis, a new study has found. Previous research indicates that type 2 diabetes could increase the risk of developing a number of types of cancer, with the highest risk appearing to be soon af... Read more →
Addiction drug may benefit cancer patients
A drug which is currently used to treat different types of addiction, may have a beneficial effect on some cancer patients, new research suggests. Naltrexone is currently licensed in many countries for the treatment of alcohol and heroin addiction. However UK scientists have found that it also appe... Read more →
New breast cancer trial opened
A cancer trial to test a new treatment for patients with advanced breast cancer, which is not responding to currently available treatments, has been opened. The trial will be run by Cancer Trials Ireland, which coordinates cancer trials in this country. Since its establishment in 1996, over 15,000 ... Read more →
Smoking affects breast cancer treatment
It is already known that smoking can increase the risk of a number of cancers, including breast cancer. Now a new study has found that a treatment commonly used to treat women with breast cancer works less well in smokers. Swedish researchers followed over 1,000 women who had been diagnosed with br... Read more →
Cancer survival rates improving in men
Survival rates among men with cancer are continuing to improve in Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. Latest figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) show that the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer between 2008 and 2012 was 90%. Between 1994 and 1999, this... Read more →
Cancer survival rates improving in men
Survival rates among men with cancer are continuing to improve in Ireland, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. Latest figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) show that the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer between 2008 and 2012 was 90%. Between 1994 and 1999, this... Read more →
Much higher risk of cancer in deprived areas
Women living in the most deprived areas in Ireland have a 120% increased risk of developing cervical cancer, while men and women in these areas have a 60% increased risk of developing lung cancer, a major new report has revealed. The report by the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI) found that ... Read more →
Economic crisis linked to cancer deaths
The global economic crisis that began in 2008 can be linked to thousands of additional cancer deaths worldwide, including more than 169,000 within the European Union (EU), a new study has found. According to the findings, these deaths were due to unemployment and reduced spending on public health s... Read more →
Teen fruit consumption cuts breast cancer risk
Women may have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer if they consumed a lot of fruit as a teenager. While fruit and vegetables are thought to help protect against breast cancer, studies have provided conflicting results. However most of these studies have looked at fruit consumption during mid... Read more →
Public patients left waiting for cancer tests
Public patients can be left waiting up to 20 times longer than private patients for vital cancer tests, a new report has shown. According to the findings, some public patients were left waiting for up to 480 days for important tests. The figures are contained in a report based on an in-depth surve... Read more →
Parents shunning cervical cancer vaccine, IMO forum hears
Large number of parents are withdrawing their consent for their daughters to be vaccinated against the HPV virus due to adverse publicity over its alleged side-effects, the annual conference of the Irish Medical Organisation has heard. Public health doctor Ann Hogan said “a significant number... Read more →
Skin cancer warning for outdoor workers
People who work in the outdoors need to be more aware of the dangers of skin cancer, experts have warned. According to a new European report, almost 14.5 million workers in Europe spend at least 75% of their working time outside. After just five years of working outdoors, these workers have a two-f... Read more →
PTSD common after breast cancer diagnosis
Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer go on to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a new study has found. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur after experiencing an intensely stressful event in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. It has been ... Read more →
Emotional impact of cancer can last years
The emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can affect patients and their families for years, a new report by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has shown. The report looked at the ICS's counselling service and it revealed that while 48% of those accessing the service did so within 12 months of discover... Read more →
NI team in world-first cancer trial
Scientists in Belfast are leading the world's first trial of a new combination of cancer therapies, which may prolong the lives of men with advanced prostate cancer. Around 1,100 new cases of the disease are diagnosed in Northern Ireland every year, and almost 250 men die annually as a result. The... Read more →
Daffodil Day 2016 is fast approaching
Some 40,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year and demand for cancer services is increasing, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. It is holding its annual national fundraiser - Daffodil Day - on Friday, March 11, and this year it is hoping to raise €3.5 million. The ICS is par... Read more →
Ireland has high rate of oesophageal cancer
Ireland continues to have one of the highest rates of oesophageal cancer in Europe, the Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) has warned. It is calling on members of the public to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of the disease, which is newly diagnosed in around 400 people every year. If caught i... Read more →
Consensus on genomic classification of bladder cancer makes progress
The genomic revolution that followed the unraveling of the human genome has led to a push to classify cancer according to genetic and molecular - rather than cell and tissue - features. While some areas like breast cancer have made huge progress in this movement, bladder cancer is a relative latecom... Read more →
Overactive thyroid linked to breast cancer risk
Women with an overactive thyroid may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, a new study has found. The thyroid is a key gland in the body, releasing hormones that are essential for metabolism. According to Danish researchers, up to 6% of people in Europe have undiagnosed thyroid diseas... Read more →
Cancer drug may protect against Alzheimer's disease, study shows
Ahallmark of Alzheimer's disease is the formation of faulty protein clumps that clog up the brain and kill brain cells. Now, after observing its effects in a lab model of Alzheimer's, scientists have discovered that an already approved anti-cancer drug could delay the onset of the neurodegenerative ... Read more →
Could 'barring exit from blood vessels' stop breast cancer spread?
Researchers have discovered a protein that controls whether migrating breast cancer cells are allowed to push their way through the walls of blood vessels and continue their deadly journey to establish new tumors in other parts of the body. They suggest that finding a way to control the protein so ... Read more →
'No evidence that CT scans, X-rays cause cancer'
Researchers conclude there is no proof that low-level radiation from medical imaging - such as X-ray and computed tomography scans - causes cancer. They say it is time to throw out an unproven, decades-old theoretical model that has led many people - doctors and regulators included - to believe othe... Read more →
Public can shape cancer policy change
With the General Election now confirmed for February 26, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) is calling on the public to help shape policy change by urging their election candidates to ‘close the cancer gap'. The cancer gap refers to the fact that where people live in Ireland affects their chances... Read more →
Head cancer has big impact on carers' finances
Caring for a person with cancer of the head or neck can have a major impact on finances, a new study by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) has found. According to the NCRI, this is one of the most common type of cancers worldwide and it tends to be diagnosed in older people and those fr... Read more →
Cervical cancer screening method to be assessed
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is to carry out an assessment to establish the most effective screening method for the prevention of cervical cancer. Every year, around 300 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer in Ireland and 90 die from the disease. Most cases are caus... Read more →
Many unaware of lung cancer dangers
Many Irish people appear to have a lack of awareness about the dangers of lung cancer, new research suggests. According to a survey of over 1,000 adults, which was launched by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), just over half of people are unaware that lung cancer is Ireland's biggest cancer killer, w... Read more →
Little improvement in brain cancer survival rates
Around 290 people in Ireland are diagnosed with cancer of the brain every year and there has been little improvement in survival rates over the last 20 years, a new report has found. The report by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) analysed the current trends relating to malignant prima... Read more →
ICS chief executive to take €10,000 pay cut
The chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has decided to take a pay cut as part of the charity's efforts to provide financial assistance to the families of children with cancer. Earlier this week, the ICS announced that it was closing its Financial Support Programme, which helps cancer ... Read more →
Cancer financial support programme to close
The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has confirmed that it is closing its Financial Support Programme, which helps cancer patients who are facing financial hardship as a result of their diagnosis. According to the ICS, the programme is being closed because ‘the demand has become too big for us to m... Read more →
Smear test callback
Our GP advises on smear test abnormalities and the inevitably fatal consequences of CJD. Most abnormalities found on smears are totally treatable. About one-in-20 women who are screened will have some abnormal cells found. Less than one-in-1,000 women who are referred for colposcopy are found to ha... Read more →
New hope for blood cancer patients
People in Ireland who are suffering with cancer of the blood will have the opportunity to be among the first in the world to test new potentially life-saving drugs and treatments, following the launch of a new national clinical research network. The newly established Blood Cancer Network Ireland (B... Read more →
Outbreak of moles on right arm indicates a high risk of cancer
Having more than 11 moles on their right arm could mean a person has a higher risk of skin cancer, according to research. Experts believe that the number of moles someone has on their right arm is the best indicator of how many moles they have altogether - and having more than 100 moles on the body... Read more →
Cancer treatment possible during pregnancy
Women who are diagnosed with cancer while they are pregnant can start treatment for the disease immediately and do not need to worry about the effects this may have on their unborn child, a new study has found. European researchers looked at 129 children aged between one and three years, whose moth... Read more →
Tuesday 15 September 2015 Life Newsletter 15 myths about cancer
It's easy to believe everything you hear about something as scary as cancer, so we spoke to the Irish Cancer Society to debunk some of the most common myths surrounding the disease. There's no doubt about it, cancer is frightening. As advancements are made we know more and more about the disease, b... Read more →
Wasp stings could help fight some cancers research reveals
Getting stung by the Brazilian wasp Polybia paulista may not be such a bad thing if you have cancer, research suggests. The wasp's venom contains a powerful "smart" drug that selectively targets and destroys tumour cells without harming normal cells, a study has shown. In tests, it has been shown ... Read more →
Spotlight on childhood cancer in September
The bravery of children diagnosed with cancer is being highlighted throughout the month of September, as part of the annual Light It Up Gold campaign. The campaign is run in Ireland by the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCF), but is part of an international campaign that originated in the US. As part... Read more →
One drink a day raises breast cancer risk, study finds
Medical review says those with family history of disease should consider giving up alcohol Just one drink a day puts women at increased risk of breast and other alcohol-related cancers, a major study published today suggests. People with a family history of cancer should consider giving up alcohol... Read more →
How exercise can help you move on after cancer
Exercise has long been billed as a key part of the cancer recovery journey. We meet the patients lifting and squatting their way back to health It's widely known that physical exercise is a crucial part of healing for those who've undergone heart surgery - but did you know that science is now advoc... Read more →
'Cancer has put pressure on me financially'
Coming to terms with a cancer diganosis can be a rollercoaster - for the patient and their family. Add the mounting medical bills and the stresses of everyday life, the disease itself becomes just one part of the cancer journey. Patricia Dempsey had a well-paid job as an office administrator before... Read more →
Shift work does not up prostate cancer risk
Men who work shifts are not at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, a new study suggests. Previous research has suggested that people who work shifts are at an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Between one and five and one in six workers curren... Read more →
Men urged to know early cancer signs
Irish men are being encouraged to make themselves aware of the early warning signs of cancer.According to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), some 10,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year in Ireland. However, the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of survival."It's important ... Read more →
Support for secondary cancer patients
A new education and support programme, aimed at people who have been diagnosed with secondary cancer, is set to begin later this month in Dublin. A primary cancer refers to where a cancer begins. For example, if you have cancer that begins in the breast, this is known as primary breast cancer. Some... Read more →
'Spectacular' results from cancer trials
New cancer trials have produced ‘spectacular' results, which could have major consequences for the way the disease is treated, experts have claimed. One of the trials involved almost 1,000 patients with advanced melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. They were treated with two immu... Read more →
More research on water fluoridation needed
A major review has found ‘no definitive evidence' that water fluoridation produces either positive or negative health effects, however further studies on this topic are needed, the Health Research Board (HRB) has said. Currently in Ireland, the public water supply is fluoridated. The practice... Read more →
Experts to advise on new cancer strategy
A steering group to advise the Department of Health on a new cancer strategy for the country has been established. The National Cancer Strategy Steering Group is made up of a number of experts in the field and will be chaired by consultant medical oncologist at St James's Hospital, Prof John Kenned... Read more →
Bowel cancer risk for overweight teens
Teenagers who are very overweight may be much more likely to develop bowel cancer later in life, a new study has found. It is already known that obesity in adulthood can increase the risk of this disease, however it is unclear what impact excess weight in adolescence may have. Swedish and US resear... Read more →
Leukaemia drug being trialled in Galway
A patient attending University Hospital Galway is the first person in the world to start treatment as part of a clinical trial for a promising new drug for acute leukaemia. Adult acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It is the most common type of acute le... Read more →
Clinical trials in cancer on the increase
The number of cancer clinical trials taking place in Ireland is on the increase and this will have a major impact on the future of cancer treatment, ICORG has said. ICORG is the All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group, which works to highlight the importance of clinical trials in Ireland an... Read more →
Prognosis no worse with family breast cancer
Women with a family history of breast cancer who subsequently develop the disease, have the same prognosis as other women with the disease who have no family history, a new study has found. According to UK researchers, these findings should offer hope to women who are concerned about their future d... Read more →
Under-18 sunbed ban 'working'
The new law banning people under the age of 18 from using sunbeds appears to be working, however some tanning salons are still offering illegal price promotions, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. It carried out an undercover survey of tanning salons in Dublin during March. As part of this, a... Read more →
Little awareness of genetic tumour condition
A genetic condition that affects around one in every 6,000 people in Ireland, and is responsible for conditions such as epilepsy and autism, is virtually unheard of here, experts have warned. This lack of awareness and understanding means that those affected are not getting the level of care that t... Read more →
Sun can cause skin damage on most days
Pharmacists have called on the Government to allow them to provide more vaccination services to the general public.Pharmacists already offer a flu vaccination service, but according to the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), if they offered other vaccines, this could improve patient outcomes and ‘free... Read more →
Women invited to ovarian cancer seminar
Women who are concerned about or affected by ovarian cancer are being invited to attend a seminar on the disease next month. Around 330 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year, making it the sixth most common female cancer. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘silent disease... Read more →
Many underestimate risk of few cigs
Many people still underestimate the damage to health even a few cigarettes can cause, new research suggests. According to French doctors, despite years of public health campaigning on this issue, it is clear that ‘the war against tobacco is not over'. They analysed data from a survey of over... Read more →
Cancer Society concerned about e-cigarettes
The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has expressed concern that e-cigarettes may actually increase smokers' dependence on nicotine.It made the claim after a new poll revealed that two-thirds of e-cigarette users also smoke conventional cigarettes.The poll was carried out on behalf of the ICS and involved ... Read more →
Few teens regularly use e-cigarettes
While e-cigarettes appear to be popular among teenagers, few of those who try them will become regular users, a new study suggests. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices designed to supply nicotine through inhaled water vapour. They continue to be at the centre of a major debate, with some peopl... Read more →
7,000+ cancers detected by BreastCheck
Over 1.2 million mammograms have been provided to women as part of BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, since its introduction in 2000, and more than 7,400 cancers have been detected. The programme is launching a new campaign aimed at encouraging all women aged between 50 and 64 to... Read more →
Many still not aware of bowel cancer
Most people are unaware of just how prevalent bowel cancer is, the HSE has said. Bowel cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, with over 2,200 new diagnoses every year. While the disease is most commonly seen in people aged between 55 and 74, younger people can al... Read more →
People embarrassed about bowel cancer
Around 2,400 men and women are newly diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Ireland, yet many people still find the disease very embarrassing to talk about, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has said. It has revealed that more people view the bowel cancer section on the ICS website than any other s... Read more →
St Vincent's Daffodil Centre launched
The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has officially launched its Daffodil Centre at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin. Daffodil Centres provide information, support and advice on cancer and are based in hospitals around the country. Last year alone, they dealt with queries from more than 40,000 ... Read more →
3 drinks a day can cause liver cancer
Consuming just three alcoholic drinks a day can cause liver cancer, new research has found. The results were uncovered by the World Cancer Research Fund's Continuous Update Project (CUP). This project involved an analysis of 34 studies worldwide, involving over eight million people, 24,500 of whom ... Read more →
Stress management key in breast cancer
Women who are taught skills to manage stress after being diagnosed with breast cancer may experience improved moods and a better quality of life for many years to come, a new study suggests.US researchers followed the progress of 240 women who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. They wer... Read more →
Test reduces chemo use in breast cancer
A test which determines whether chemotherapy will benefit certain women with early-stage breast cancer has proven successful in Ireland. Around 2,700 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year and it is acknowledged that the criteria currently used to decide whether chemotherapy... Read more →
40% higher cancer risk for obese women
Women who are obese have a 40% increased risk of developing a number of different cancers, including bowel, womb and kidney cancer, new figures have revealed. According to Cancer Research UK, obesity is known to increase a woman's risk of developing at least seven different types of cancer - bowel,... Read more →
Tobacco-free world by 2040 'possible'
The sale of tobacco worldwide should be phased out by 2040, public health researchers have insisted. The international group of health and policy experts claim that with sufficient political support and increased action against the tobacco industry, a tobacco-free world - where less than 5% of adul... Read more →
Thyroid cancer risk after breast cancer
Women who survive breast cancer have an increased risk of going on to develop cancer of the thyroid, particularly within five years of their breast cancer diagnosis, a new study has found. Until now, studies linking breast and thyroid cancer have been mixed, so US researchers decided to assess this... Read more →
Prostate and breast cancer link found
Women may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer if they have a close male relative who has battled prostate cancer, a new study indicates. While it is already known that people have an increased risk of developing either of these diseases separately if there is a family history of them... Read more →
Cigarette plain packaging law passed
Ireland has become the first country in Europe and only the second in the world to introduce plain packaging laws for cigarette packets.The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill has now passed through all stages of the Oireachtas and this will ensure that all tobacco industry market... Read more →
New sunbed regulations now in effect
New laws governing the commercial use of sunbeds, including a ban on ‘unlimited use', are now in effect. From today (March 2), anyone using sunbeds must be supervised and anyone supervising must be over 18 years of age. Health information must be provided to anyone using, hiring or buying a s... Read more →
Biggest fall in smokers since 2009
The number of smokers in Ireland fell by 70,000 last year, the biggest annual drop since 2009, the HSE has announced. According to its National Tobacco Control Office, which has monitored national smoking prevalence every month since 2003, smoking prevalence in people aged 15 and older was 19.5% in... Read more →
'Unlimited' use of sunbeds banned
New rules governing the use of commercial sunbeds are to be introduced next month, including a ban on ‘unlimited' use, the Department of Health has confirmed. From March 2, users of commercial sunbeds will be required to wear protective eyewear and will have to be supervised throughout, in an... Read more →
Stroke survivors may have higher cancer risk
It is already known that people with cancer have an increased risk of suffering a stroke. However, a new study has found that the opposite may also be true - those who suffer a stroke may have an increased risk of developing cancer. US scientists analysed data relating to over 3,200 people over the... Read more →
Oesophageal cancer risk for overweight kids
Children who are overweight may have an increased risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe) later in life, a new study has found. Researchers in Denmark analysed the health records of over 255,000 school children who were born between 1930 and 1971. The height and weight of these chil... Read more →
Most breast cancer info on web inaccurate
Breast cancer is the most searched for cancer on the internet, yet much of the information available is either inaccurate or hard to read, Cork University Hospital (CUH) has said. Furthermore, one in three women attending breast cancer clinics in Ireland has limited health literacy. This all means ... Read more →
Many afraid to discuss cancer symptoms
Some people may avoid going to their GP with warning symptoms of cancer because they are afraid of wasting their doctor's time, a new study has found. Others are afraid that they will be diagnosed with the disease or they simply blame their symptoms on somthing else, such as ageing. The UK study l... Read more →
Major new Irish study on prostate cancer
The long-term quality of life of men who have survived prostate cancer varies significantly depending on the main treatment they received, a new Irish study has found. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in men. Every year in Ireland, over 2,000 men are newly diagnosed with the ... Read more →
Concern over lung cancer rates in women
Irish women have one of the highest lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in Europe, the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has warned. According to the society, ‘significantly more Irish women are dying from lung cancer than in other European countries'. "We are concerned that lung cancer morta... Read more →
Lung cancer deaths rise in women as smoking takes its toll
Death rates for Irish women from lung cancer are continuing to rise because of the numbers who took up smoking when they were younger, a new report has revealed.It also highlights the increase in deaths from melanoma - the aggressive form of skin cancer - in men as a result of failure to protect the... Read more →
Cancer info provided to 82,000 in 2013
Over 82,000 people were provided with information and support by the Irish Cancer Society's Cancer Information Service (CIS) last year, a new report has shown.The CIS is made up of the National Cancer Helpline, online services and Daffodil Centres, which provide information and support in local hosp... Read more →
Drug cuts breast cancer rates by 29%
Many women with breast cancer are given the drug, tamoxifen, to reduce the risk of the disease recurring. However, now a new study has found that the drug also has a major preventive effect in women at risk of the disease, which remains constant for at least two decades.According to the findings, th... Read more →
Many dismiss cancer warning signs
Many people dismiss the potential warning signs of cancer as less serious symptoms, a new study has found. The UK research noted that just 2% of people who had experienced a recent symptom often associated with cancer actually thought that the disease could be the cause. As part of the study, 1,70... Read more →
Obesity a major risk factor for cancer
Overweight and obesity have become major risk factors for cancer, causing almost half a million new cases of the disease worldwide every year, a new study has found. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cancer caused by excess weight is currently much more common in ... Read more →
HSE service plan to target waiting times and cancer care
Targeted measures to tackle waiting lists, the recruitment of hundreds of extra doctors and nurses and the expansion of cancer services are outlined in the HSE’s service plan, to be published today. The plan envisages savings totalling €130 million, to come from cuts in spending on drugs... Read more →
200 cancers detected by BowelScreen
Almost 200 cases of bowel cancer have been detected by BowelScreen, the National Bowel Screening Programme, since it began last year, early results show. Some 2,500 people are newly diagnosed with bowel (colorectal) cancer in Ireland every year and around 1,000 people die from it annually, making i... Read more →
Women shouldn't ignore their father's medical history
Around one in 70 women will get ovarian cancer in their lifetime - and for most women with a family history of the disease, their risk will not be much higher than that of the rest of the population. Nearly 380 Irish women are newly diagnosed with the cancer annually. If a woman has a first-degree ... Read more →
Smoking causes 90% of lung cancer
For smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer falls if they quit the habit, however it will never be as low as the risk that applies to someone who has never smoked, Irish doctors have said. According to Dr Jane Kleinerova and Dr Dermot O'Callaghan of the Mater Hospital in Dublin, lung cancer cur... Read more →
Women urged to be breast aware
Women are being reminded of the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. According to the Irish Cancer Society (ICS), over 2,700 cases of the disease are newly diagnosed in this country every year and Irish women have a one in 10 chance of developing it during their lifetime. ... Read more →
Burnout high among cancer doctors
Some seven in 10 young cancer doctors in Europe show signs of burnout because of the demands of the job, a major new survey has revealed. This is the largest survey of its kind, involving almost 600 oncologists under the age of 40 working throughout Europe. It found that 71% were showing signs of b... Read more →
E-cigs no help to smoking cancer patients
E-cigarettes do not appear to help cancer patients quit smoking, according to a new study. The health dangers of smoking are well-documented and it is widely acknowledged that anyone diagnosed with cancer should be advised to quit the habit. US scientists decided to look at e-cigarettes specifi... Read more →
Skin cancer in men on the increase
The number of men developing skin cancer in Ireland has jumped by over 21% since 2009, new figures indicate. The figures were released by VHI Healthcare to mark its sponsorship of Blue September - a national campaign that aims to raise awareness and funds for male cancers. According to the... Read more →
Tony Ward - Cancer was my hardest opponent to beat
Tony Ward had to overcome many challenges in his dazzling rugby career. But nothing prepared him for the cruel illness that turned his life upside down. Now, for the first time, he tells Kim Bielenberg about his toughest battle. He was renowned as a wizard in an Irish rugby shirt. He toured with th... Read more →
New class of drug targets skin cancer
A new kind of DNA-based drug has been used to treat a form of skin cancer. The researchers involved believe it may also prove effective in a more dangerous skin cancer – melanoma. The first human use of the drug, known as DZ13, was conducted at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Aus... Read more →
Breast cancer study to focus on aspirin
Cancer Society (ICS) has announced the national roll-out of a major clinical study, which aims to improve outcomes for breast cancer patients by looking more closely at the potentially important role of aspirin. Recent research part-funded by the ICS found that women who had been prescribed aspirin... Read more →
Smoking link to head/neck cancer deaths
A new study conducted by by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) has found that head and neck cancer patients who smoke at the time of diagnosis have a significantly increased rate of death from cancer. The study has found that over one in two of these patients identified were smokers at ... Read more →
Parents 'exploited' by overseas youth cancer treatments
Specialists say experimental approach unrealistic and may harm some children. Hope offered by experimental cancer treatments abroad is “unrealistic” and, in some cases, may harm children, two leading childhood cancer specialists have warned. Consultant Prof Owen Smith and oncologist Dr ... Read more →
Cancer kids missing out on med cards
Children diagnosed with cancer in Ireland are still not automatically entitled to a medical card, leaving their families with the added stress of having to undergo a means test, the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CCF) has said. Over 200 children are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland every year - that ... Read more →
Aspirin can prevent cancer deaths, Irish study finds
Researchers find prescription can help stop spread of breast cancer to lymph nodes. A simple aspirin pill can help reduce death rates from cancer by preventing the spread of the disease, new Irish research suggests. Women who have been prescribed aspirin regularly before being diagnosed with breast... Read more →
Aspirin may stop spread of breast cancer say researchers
Irish researchers have found that aspirin may stop the spread of breast cancer. Researchers funded by the Health Research Board and Irish Cancer Society have discovered that women who had been prescribed aspirin regularly before being diagnosed with breast cancer are less likely to have cancer that... Read more →
Irish rugby player appeals to men to be more aware of testicular cancer
After the tragic loss of a friend to the disease, rugby star Jordi Murphy tells why it is vital to ignore the macho culture and seek help early. Irish rugby international and Leinster flanker Jordi Murphy (23) is the perfect case in point of an old head on young, albeit quite considerable, shoulders... Read more →
Battle of the mind - Virginia Kerr on cancer support
Psychotherapist and opera star, Virginia Kerr, explains how cancer sufferers and their families need emotional support, as grieving the loss of health and taking time out are crucial to a full recovery. Cancer is not just a physical illness that requires radical medical intervention. It can also... Read more →
'I'll fight my pancreatic cancer my way' says Irish dad of one who has recorded 'fun' video for his baby daughter to watch after he dies
FACING a bleak prognosis like his there are not many who would decide to record a fun video clip about fighting cancer. But Darren Mullery is fighting cancer his way and wants to give hope to other sufferers that there still is life after a cancer diagnosis. He also wants to leave a legacy for his ... Read more →
For the price of a coffee, you can help save our little boy's life
When John Glynn was told his son Gavin had inoperable cancer, he refused to 'enjoy the time they had left' and found a treatment in the US that gives his beloved boy a fighting chance. THE doctors had done their best, exhausted every possibility. But John Glynn wasn't ready to give up. In March, Jo... Read more →
If men’s cancers are so prevalent, why do we hear less about them?
Men have lower five-year cancer-survival rates, so they need to be proactive, like Willie Penrose. Men are more likely to die of cancer, and have lower five-year survival rates than women. According to figures produced by the National Cancer Registry, men have a one in seven, or 14 per cent, chance... Read more →
Women told they may be wrong to have breasts removed
Nearly three-quarters of women who have both breasts removed after a cancer diagnosis may be wrong to take the drastic step, a study has suggested. Researchers who studied 1,447 women treated for breast cancer found that 8pc of them had undergone a double mastectomy. But 70pc of these women did no... Read more →
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