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Tag Archives: cancer

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

The Irish Family Planning Association and CervicalCheck will launch the Pearl of Wisdom campaign on Sunday, to mark the start of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. The campaign highlights the importance of women aged 25-60 attending for their free regular smear test. The Pearl of Wisdom campaign is supported by RTÉ broadcaster Maura Derrane. As part of the campaign, women with experience of screening and treatment will share their stories to raise awareness of the importance of screening. In Ireland, 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and over 90 die from the disease. Regular screening allows for detection of abnormalities at the pre-cancerous stage, when they can be easily treated. The test is free, only takes a few minutes, and can be accessed from over 4,500 registered practitioners nationwide. During European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (January 22 -28), women are asked to check when their next test is due or to book their first test by visiting …

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Helping partners through cancer diagnosis

The benefits of relationship counselling in maintaining communication and intimacy between partners following a cancer diagnosis is being highlighting, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end and Movember begins. “Being diagnosed with cancer can be life-changing,” said Dublin-based Relationships Ireland’s clinical director, Maura Leahy. “One of the challenges a cancer patient may face is how to respond and deal with the effect of the diagnosis on the people closest to them. They may not know how to react and how to give you the support you need. Partners may stay silent due to the shock of the news or have difficulty responding to the anger or sadness that can often be felt, which can leave the patient with a sense of abandonment at a time when support is critical. Counselling can help improve communication between the patient and their partner at this difficult time, which will improve emotional and practical support on the road to recovery,” Ms Leahy said. …

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University Hospital Limerick.

Clinical Trials Day at Limerick hospital

Taking part in a cancer clinical trial at University Hospital Limerick was a last option fora Clare woman but one which had allowed her to see her children grow up. This was outlined by Marie to highlight International Clinical Trials Day on Friday and to encourage patients to sign up for suitable trials. Members of the public are invited to UHL this Friday to find out more about cancer trials from staff attached to the Clinical Trials Unit, Cancer Services, at UHL. They will be running an information stand from 11am to 1pm in the main hospital concourse as part of a national campaign co-ordinated by ICORG, which co-ordinates most cancer trials in Ireland. UHL is one of 18 hospital-based cancer trials centres in Ireland and is the only one in the Mid-West region. Supporting the campaign is Munster head coach Anthony Foley, who is a member of the board at the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation. “It is heartening to see …

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Cancer centre launches new services

A LOCAL cancer centre is continuing its expansion with the launch of two new services. Actress Aoibhinn Garrihy was on hand last Friday to officially open a new hair and beauty salon at Sláinte an Chláir, Kilnamona and was impressed with the free services that are available to cancer patients at the centre. A spokeswoman for Clare Cancer Support explained they encourage patients to shave their hair once it starts falling out, as it can be distressing to see it happen in stages. Once their hair starts to grow back, patients are invited back to the centre where they will get a free style or colour. Women can also have their make-up done or a nail manicure. “It can be traumatic for anyone who starts to lose their after chemotherapy. Getting their hair and make-up done in a relaxing environment at the centre provides a great boost to women who have cancer. “It gives them a chance to put their …

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High radon levels in Ennis home

  A home in Ennis was found to have more than three times the acceptable level for radon gas, the equivalent to receiving two chest x-rays a day, according to figures revealed by the EPA’s Office of Radiological Protection. The details emerged as the EPA raised concerns about the low rate of testing for the cancer-causing gas in Clare. The figures show that in the first six months of 2015, three homes in Ennis and one in Doolin tested above the acceptable level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3), with one home in Ennis measuring levels of 620Bq/m3. However, according to the EPA, the rate of testing in Clare is very low, with only 26 homes having been tested for radon in the first six months of 2015. A total of 4,301 homes have been tested in Clare to date and, of these, 538 tested above 200 Bq/m3. Commenting on the latest findings from the county, Stephanie Long, senior scientist with the …

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Let’s talk about care

A public campaign is underway inviting patients, carers and families to share stories about their experiences of care to help improve services for people with non-curable and serious illnesses. During the month of April, across the country, the Let’s Talk About Care campaign is calling on people to share their experiences by completing an open survey at www.caresurvey.org. The survey is being led by All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) and open to people (or their carers or families on their behalf) with serious conditions such as advanced respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, motor neuron disease, cancer, heart failure, dementia and so on. AIIHPC director, Paddie Blaney said, “For people with conditions that cannot be cured¨, the goal of care is the best possible quality of life. They may need help with pain and other symptoms but also practical, social, emotional and spiritual support and they may need that care for weeks, months and years up to …

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Daffodil Day 2015 launched

As the most recent statistics show 15 people in Clare being diagnosed with cancer every week, the countdown is on for Daffodil Day on Friday, March 27. Supported by Dell, this year marks the 28th Daffodil Day, Ireland’s longest running and biggest fundraising day. The society announced a growth in cancer incidence that is sure to have a direct impact on its services; increasing the need for the people in Clare to support Daffodil Day so they can reach their fundraising target of €3.5 million for 2015. Speaking at the launch of Daffodil Day, John McCormack, chief executive officer, Irish Cancer Society said, “Every family in Clare is touched by cancer, and these new figures confirm that cancer rates are growing. As cancer is increasing, so are our efforts to fight it. As the national cancer charity we are working harder to ensure that every family in need of support in Clare has access to our services. To meet the …

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Anne’s crew remember her to Rapunzel

STAFF members in St Joseph’s Hospital are planning a ‘crew cut’ for a fundraising event in memory of their former colleague, Anne Fox, who lost her battle with cancer in September 2013. Three of Anne’s former colleagues are stepping forward for the short back and sides by hairdressers from K&G Hair Salon on Parnell Street, at the function in O’Keeffe’s Bar, Lifford, on February 27. But that’s not all. The group, and the 10-year-old niece of one of the volunteers and the daughter of another, will then hand over their tresses to the Rapunzel Foundation to make into wigs for children and adults who suffer from alopecia. Tommy Guilfoyle, Deirdre Allan and her daughter, Mary, who works in Ryan’s Centra, and St Joseph’s colleague, Nuala Casey haven’t had a haircut since last April or May. Tommy’s niece, Ava Burke, aged 10, a pupil in Gaelscoil Micheál Chiosóg, has never had more than a trim. Now she’s prepared to have 14 …

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