Blog
The Art of Distraction
UCAN Ireland notes with concern the comments attributed to Prof. Michael Barry in today’s RTÉ article by Fergal Bowers.
We are a grassroots, independent advocacy movement driven by one goal — to ensure that Irish cancer patients have timely and equitable access to the best available treatments, in line with European standards.
Prof. Barry’s remarks risk undermining the integrity of clinicians and advocates who have, in good faith and with full transparency, called attention to delays and shortcomings in the drug reimbursement process in Ireland. Suggesting that clinicians are somehow compromised by industry involvement is a deeply unfair and unsubstantiated claim. These are healthcare professionals who see first-hand the consequences of delayed access — and they are speaking out because their patients cannot afford to wait.
It is also important to point out that such comments serve as a distraction from the real issue: Ireland’s reimbursement system is not fit for purpose. By international comparison, we are among the slowest in Europe when it comes to approving access to innovative cancer therapies for public patients. This is not a matter of perception — it is borne out by the data and by the lived experience of patients across the country.
UCAN Ireland will continue to advocate, without fear or favour, for a reformed and patient-centred reimbursement system that serves the needs of those it is supposed to protect.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/0701/1521161-drug-payments-ireland/
Immunotheraphy
Dr Kai-keen Shiu LS Annual Conference 2025
Bowel Prep. Hints and Tips
LS UK Annual Conference
John Vergil Briones is a Senior Specialist Screening Practitioner for the Bowel Screening Programme (BSCP) at St Marks Hospital. As part of his role, he ensures patients have a safe and comfortable journey in the BSCP pathway-including but not limited to assessment, taking bowel preparation, undergoing the actual investigations and results discussion.
Listen Very Carefully, I Shall Say This Only Once…
Picture this: You’re sitting in your GP surgery, desperately trying to convince your doctor that yes, you’d quite like a PSA test, thank you very much.
It’s 2025, and we’re still playing this ridiculous game where blokes have to practically beg for a simple blood test.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. One in eight of us….. will get it…..
So, dear healthcare policymakers, commissioners, and guideline writers:
Listen very carefully, because I shall say this only once – sort it out!
Men’s lives depend on it.
Everything you do has value and worth.
Everything you do has value and worth.
Even if society doesn’t value all my work, it is reminder that caring for others matters, running a household matters, building community matters and speaking up matters.
Many advocates are planting seeds for flowers they may never see fully blossom, whether it is with influencing positive health care change, or raising other human beings. But the planting matters.
The Waiting is the Hardest Part
Waiting. During a health crisis, time is not always a friend.
“Waiting defines my cancer experience. It is inhumane to wait two weeks after cancer-removal surgery before I have treatment information. I’ve since heard from other patients who have had to wait even longer to hear the results or to schedule doctor appointments.”
Ultimately, I’m waiting, waiting, waiting …
EU-CIP: Cancer Information Portal
The EU Cancer Information Portal will bring high quality, easy to understand, information for cancer patients and their families.
EU-CIP will also raise awareness of the EU Cancer Mission and Europe’s Beating
Cancer Plan.
They are building a home for reliable cancer information in the European Union.
Their goal is to facilitate access to general and personalised knowledge on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options.
They will create a common Library of Contents available to all EU Member States.
EU-CiP is for everyone! Cancer patients,Survivors,Families,Caregivers
and Healthcare staff.
https://www.europeancancer.org/resource/strategy-2024-2027.html
Meet Emilia, endometrial cancer patient support!
Throughout June, Emilia will share her whole story, from the first warning signs, diagnosis, through treatment, recovery, and life after cancer.Emilia will shine light on the patient pathway of endometrial cancer!
Emilia noticed she had some strange symptoms that wouldn’t go away.
It was scary, but she went to her doctor and explained her fear…..
Hospitals now have more consultants, but each specialist sees fewer outpatients than nearly a decade ago
Is this a fair Headline?
It is a step in the right direction to publish this data. The dashboard is here: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNTFmZjkyOWEtYWQyOS00ZTUzLWIzNjctM2M2MGVhNzIzZDgxIiwidCI6ImYwNTQ1MjZhLTZiY2MtNGE3OC05OTg0LWZhYTNmZjQ1NTViMCIsImMiOjl9
@mccarthymt7 I presume the dataset is complete and accurate. For some context, 15 years ago, in a public hospital clinic, for example, a consultant and 3 NCHDs would have an OPD of 60-80 people to see “scheduled” for a 3-4 hour clinic, that would routinely run for 6 hours. The consultant gave an opinion, and dictated a letter.
Today, many new consultants are in the clinic alone. They see all the patients, type their own letters, book the scans, request the molecular tests, arrange the follow up visits, and organise the interventions (e.g. chemotherapy appointments) by themselves. Being a consultant has become a different job.
Lynch Syndrome Ireland 