A Year of Achievement Marked by Irish Cancer Society
Written by Averil Power, CEO, Irish Cancer Society
A milestone development for the Irish Cancer Society took place during the first half of this year, as they announced their partnership with the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute to fund new programmes integrating scientific discovery with patient care to pioneer novel ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer – in particular to address the rise in the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers among patients under fifty years of age.
The five-year collaboration will see the Society invest ¤4.5million in several specific exemplar programmes aimed at delivering a new model of cancer care for patients in Ireland.
By investing in the Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) the Irish Cancer Society aims to accelerate the translation of cancer research into new treatments and better support for patients.
“The combined number of missed cancers from 2020 and 2021 tell us that 1 in 12 expected cancers were not detected over the first 2 years of the pandemic. We don’t yet have the full picture of whether these cancers were diagnosed at a more advanced stage, but what we do know is that the later the stage of diagnosis, the more complex, more costly, and more invasive cancer is to treat.”
Following publication of a report by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) and funded by the Irish Cancer Society in June, which showed there was a drop in the number of cancers diagnosed during the first two years of the pandemic, Rachel Morrogh, Director of Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society voiced their fears that Ireland has encountered a second year of fewer cancers being diagnosed. “Cancer never went away during the pandemic but remained undetected due to a range of reasons including disruption to health services, people putting off seeking medical advice, and possibly premature death from Covid,” she said.
At the start of the summer, the Society welcomed the publication of the Code of Practice for cancer survivors seeking mortgage protection insurance by Insurance Ireland. The Code of Practice should make it easier for cancer survivors to get mortgage protection insurance and the industry says it should be operational before the end of the year.
Rachel Morrogh, Director of Advocacy at the Irish Cancer Society responded to the publication of the Code of Practice by saying, “The Irish Cancer Society welcomes the announcement that the insurance industry has published a Code of Practice that will make it easier for cancer survivors to get mortgage protection insurance.
“We are delighted that the Irish Cancer Society’s campaign on this issue has led to a positive outcome for cancer survivors, particularly survivors of childhood cancer whose diagnosis could follow them well into adulthood.
The Code of Practice means that anyone who was under 18 at the time of diagnosis will have their cancer ‘forgotten’ by the insurance industry after 5 years’ remission. For adults, there is a 7-year waiting period.”
In October, people across the country were urged to host a Big Pink Breakfast to support the Irish Cancer Society’s vital breast cancer support services and lifechanging research. The campaign encouraged people to host a Big Pink Breakfast in their homes, workplaces, communities and colleges to raise funds to support breast cancer support services such as free counselling, transport to chemotherapy, Night Nursing and much more. Funds raised will also be used to fund ground-breaking breast cancer research projects.
The Irish Cancer Society welcomed Minster Roderic O’Gorman’s announcement this year that he will legislate to enable women with cancer to defer their maternity leave until their treatment ends. The need for change was highlighted by the Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Leave Over Leave’ campaign.
Averil Power, CEO responded to the announcement by saying, “The Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Leave Our Leave’ campaign highlighted the distressing impact this is having on women and their babies. Having met Minister O’Gorman a few months ago to discuss our campaign, I am delighted to hear he plans to bring a bill to Cabinet before Christmas to enable women undergoing treatment for serious illness to postpone maternity leave until their treatment ends. We commend the Minister for prioritizing this area; it will make a huge difference to women and their babies.
“I’d also like to thank the many women and their families who have supported the ‘Leave Our Leave’ campaign, especially Erica Tierney, Mary Canavan and Emma McGuinness. By bravely sharing their stories, they have highlighted how awful it is to go through cancer while pregnant or with a young baby and how cruel it is to be unable to postpone your maternity leave until you are better. Thanks to them, when this change is implemented, other women will be spared that heartbreak.”
More recently, the Society has voiced concerns that underfunding cancer services in this years Budget would be at a great cost to cancer patients.
“Cancer services require ¤20 million in extra funding in Budget 2024 to secure better survival rates and quality of life for people with cancer”, Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power.
“There is a real risk that cancer outcomes will go backwards if reduced spending, squeezed supply and increased demand on cancer services continues. The Irish Cancer Society is concerned that if cancer is not a priority for Government and that if the National Cancer Strategy does not receive the ¤20m in funding it needs, that the price paid by patients will be poorer outcomes and reduced services and support for them.
“The Irish Cancer Society would like some of the ¤20m funding to go towards the roll-out of a successful pilot we initiated called ‘chemo in the community’. We are also calling for investment in the Acute Oncology Nursing Service which allows cancer patients to avoid ED when it’s clinically appropriate. This would reduce distress for patients, decrease the risk of them picking up an infection and reduce the pressure on overstretched ED departments.
“Urgent action is also needed to address the impact of the cost of living crisis on cancer patients and their families. The financial impact of cancer is huge. The patient themselves is usually out of work for a period, while a family member may also have to take time off to care for them. At the same time, they are hit with a wide range of extra charges. In last year’s Budget the Government abolished inpatient charges following a public campaign by the Irish Cancer Society. This saving of up to ¤800 per year for cancer patients was very welcome. However, the cost of living crisis means that patients are increasingly struggling with other costs such as hospital parking fees.
“After three years of exceptional pressure on our cancer services, cancer patients, and the staff who care for them, are particularly vulnerable at this time. Cancer is not just a Department of Health, HSE or National Cancer Control Programme issue. The needs of cancer patients and their families deserve the attention of every member of Government and every elected representative”, Ms Power concluded.
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