Open Letter: Funding for National Cancer Strategy must be a priority

17th April 2024: Irish Times - National cancer clinicians and the Irish Cancer Society submitted an open letter to the Taoiseach this week to urge financial support for the National Cancer Strategy. The Saolta University Cancer Network was represented by Prof Michael Kerin and Dr Michael McCarthy.

Prof Cathal Seoighe hosted at Harper Cancer Research Day

15th April 2024: Prof Cathal Seoighe, was the guest speaker at the Harper Cancer Research Day. Presenting on "Methods, computational tools and insights into cancer somatic mutation profiles" this visit builds on the Biseach Initiative between University of Galway and University of Notre Dame.

Working Life: I’m keen to support my patients throughout their cancer journey

4th April 2024: Irish Examiner - In conjunction with adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer awareness week, Patricia Gleeson detailed a day in the life of a clinical nurse specialist in AYA cancer.

People without health insurance increasingly unable to get cutting-edge cancer meds they need

30th March 2024: Irish Examiner - Dr Michael McCarthy, consultant medical oncologist is interviewed about the widening gap in access to new cancer treatments between private and public patients.

Saolta University Cancer Network progresses to next stage of European accreditation

14th March 2024: The OECI Accreditation and Designation programme is considered gold standard for cancer care, focusing on quality cancer diagnosis, care, education and research. The Saolta University Cancer Network self-assessment process against OECI standards has been approved by the OECI A&D Board, with a peer review visit planned for May 2024.

Public cancer patients being offered treatment that is second best to one in private system

7th March 2024: The Irish Times - Consultant medical oncologist, Dr Michael McCarthy, speaking at the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association annual conference, said inequity in access to cutting-edge medicines has come about only in the past year.

Outdated facilities in west and north-west put cancer patients at higher risk

7th March 2024 : Irish Independent - Professor Michael Kerin participated in the Policy Forum for Ireland on Next Steps for Cancer Services in Ireland and outlined challenges faced by cancer services in the west and northwest of Ireland.

Cancer Centre Scientific Advisory Board Meeting

23rd February 2024: The scientific advisory board for the Saolta University of Galway Cancer Network convened for the first time in Galway in February 2024. The board will work with leadership towards OECI accreditation and research development.

Fulbright Campus Ambassador for University of Galway

19th February 2024: Professor Sharon Glynn has been appointed Fulbright Ambassador for the University of Galway. Sharon visited the USA on a Fulbright Scholarship in 2022-23. In this role she will guide to University staff and students who wish to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship, and develop new networks and collaborations, through hosting Fulbright U.S. Scholars and Students.

Researchers of the Future @ BTYSTE

11th January 2024: Lily Hynes, Ailish O'Halloran and Shaelin Howley from the Dominican College, Taylor's Hill Galway, entered the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition at the RDS guided by their teacher, Ms Jean Carr and histopathologist, Prof Sean Hynes. Their project was titled: Detecting Neutrophils in the Tumour Microenvironment to try to detect aggressive breast cancer and identify therapeutic effects.

Lambe Institute Open House for Breast Cancer Research Supporters

7th December 2023: The NBCRI research team at the Lambe Institute hosted an open house evening for members of the public and charity supporters. Visitors got to meets researchers, hear about the projects and see behind the scenes of the laboratory.

AICRIstart Symposium

30th November 2023: University of Galway hosted the first AICRIstart Symposium on Nov 30th and Dec 1st in collaboration with the All Island Cancer Research Institute (AICRI). AICRIstart is a HEA north-south research programme for doctoral and postdoctoral scientists. Prof Michael Kerin, Dr Roisin Dwyer and Dr Laura Barkley are the University of Galway PIs in this programme.

Radiation Oncology Centre Opens

20th October 2023: Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD officially opened the Saolta Radiation Oncology Centre at University Hospital Galway. This facility will provide advanced radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients all across the West and North West. Click to see inside.

Irish Association of Nurses in Oncology

14th October 2023: Saolta Cancer MCAN Director of Nursing, Olive Gallagher, was awarded best poster at the IANO national conference for her work on "Training needs analysis of oncology nurses". The conference was hosted by outgoing IANO President, Caitriona Duggan, Oncology ANP at Portiuncula University Hospital and University of Galway PhD candidate.

Saolta Cancer Nurses host President of European Oncology Nursing Society

13th October 2023: European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) President, Dr Virpi Sulosaari visited University Hospital Galway to meet with GUH and PUH hospital and cancer nurse leaders in the new Saolta Radiation Oncology Centre.

€2.7million Horizon Europe grant funding for triple negative breast cancer research

9th October 2023: Advanced Engineering of Nitric Oxide Based Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Training Network (No-CANCER-NET) is led by Professor Sharon Glynn, Fulbright Scholar and Professor in Pathology at University of Galway.

National Breast Cancer Research Institute and University of Galway announce new €2m research partnership

2nd October 2023: To coincide with international breast cancer awareness month, NBCRI have announced a research commitment to University of Galway.

University of Galway represented at ENLIGHT Cancer Network Days

29th September 2023: Dr Roisin Dwyer and Dr Eva Szegezdi represented University of Galway at the 1st ENLIGHT Cancer Days hosted by the University of Bordeaux. Dr Lilli Lin (postdoc), Elan McCarthy (PhD researcher) and Emer Hennessy also attended.

FutureTrials Supplement in Irish Independent

25th September 2023: The FutureTrials supplement in the Irish Independent features clinical trials and innovation led by researchers at the Institute for Clinical Trials, University of Galway.

'The People There To Catch Us' film screening

24th September 2023: A special screening of CÚRAM-commissioned The People There to Catch Us, featuring Dr Roisin Dwyer, took place on September 24th at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway to mark World Cancer Research Day. It was followed by a Q&A with cancer researchers including Prof Aoife Lowery, patients and filmmakers.

Innovative online game demystifies the power of cancer biobanks

18th September 2023: Cancer Biobank researchers led by Dr Nicola Miller have developed a new interactive game to explain to cancer patients how they can contribute to life-saving research.

Blood Health Supplement in Irish Independent

11th September 2023: The Blood Health supplement in the Irish Independent featured an article from Dr Eva Szegezdi, University of Galway and Blood Cancer Network Ireland and Ger Walpole, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Haematology at Sligo University Hospital and Chairperson of Multiple Myeloma Ireland.

Dr Eoin McEvoy awarded ERC Starting Grant

5th September 2023: Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Dr Eoin McEvoy, has been awarded a European Research Council Starting Grant. This work will focus on uncovering why tumour growth in breast cancer is sensitive to physical pressure and overcoming related drug resistance.

Lambe Institute Summer Student Programme

27th August 2023: University of Galway students, Thalia Monaghan, Luke McCarthy and Daniel Norden took part in this year’s summer research programme at the Lambe Institute, funded by the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, working with Dr Roisin Dwyer and Dr Nicola Miller.

Fighting Irish, Fighting Cancer:
Biseach Initiative cancer research agreement

21st August 2023: Professor M. Sharon Stack, Director of the University of Notre Dame Harper Cancer Research Institute, and Professor Michael Kerin, Director of the Saolta-University of Galway Cancer Centre, signed a memorandum of understanding to build cancer research collaborations and strengthen links between both institutions.

ERC award for project to reduce side effects of chemotherapy

22nd August 2023: Professor Martin O’Halloran has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Proof of Concept grant worth for the NeuroProtect project - a novel therapy to prevent peripheral neuropathy in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

BLOG: Precision Oncology Ireland PhD Researcher Brandon Sugrue

18th August 2023: Brandon Sugrue, a PhD student, in Dr Roisin Dwyer's research group, shares his personal family story of cancer and his path to cancer research with Precision Oncology Ireland at the University of Galway.

Naughton Fellowship 2023-24

13th July 2023: Associate professor of biochemistry Dr Eva Szegezdi has been awarded a Naughton Fellowship in collaboration with Dr Xin Lu at the University of Notre Dame.

Luminate Medical: Illuminating quality of life during cancer care

17th July 2023: Silicon Republic - Founded in 2019, Galway-based Luminate Medical is emerging as a shining star in the prevention and treatment of side-effects related to cancer therapies. Prof Martin O'Halloran is the co-founder and chief scientific advisor, and Prof Aoife Lowery is clinical advisor.

‘I went from being a nurse to a cancer patient – I was diagnosed in 2017 but things have got worse’

24th June 2023: Irish Independent - Maeve Feehan, Clinical Nurse Manager at the Symptomatic Breast Clinic, University Hospital Galway shares her story of being a cancer patient and a cancer nurse.

Looking to our immune system: promising advances in cellular immunotherapies

19th June 2023: The Innovations in Oncology supplement in the Irish Independent featured an article from Dr Eva Szegezdi and the Blood Cancer Network Ireland.

Multidisciplinary approach to cancer survivorship can help more patients

19th June 2023: The Innovations in Oncology supplement in the Irish Independent featured an article from Prof Aoife Lowery on cancer survivorship clinical trials and the Women's Health Initiative.

Institute for Clinical Trials

31st May 2023: The Institute for Clinical Trials was launched at University of Galway. It was attended by many of our colleagues, with national and international speaker and contributors. You can catch up with all of the presentations on the CMNHS YouTube channel and via the RTE News segment on the launch featuring clinical lead, Prof Aoife Lowery.

Senior doctors urge Donnelly to end ‘healthcare inequalities’ in the west

26th May 2023: Irish Independent - A group of seven senior specialists in the west have pleaded with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to end the “healthcare inequalities” faced by patients due the ageing and “unfit for purpose” Galway University Hospital.

ENLIGHT Cancer Network

23rd May 2023: University of Galway hosted visiting researchers from the University of Bordeaux to discuss opportunities for a joint ENLIGHT Cancer Network. This meeting was held the day before the ENLIGHT European Dialogues meeting with support from the University of Galway ENLIGHT office. 

National Breast Cancer Research Institute hosts Galway Chamber Connects

17th May 2023: National Breast Cancer Research Institute hosted the Galway Chamber Chamber Connects networking event at the Lambe Institute. It was a great opportunity for local businesses, who support many fundraising events, to meet our dedicated team of researchers and see our lab facilities at University of Galway.

Wavelia Breast Imaging Trial on RTE Hospital Live

17th May 2023: The Wavelia breast imaging technology trial featured on Hospital Live with an interview with trial lead, Prof Michael Kerin.

Researchers identify innovative strategy with potential to enhance bowel cancer treatment

10th May 2023: Researchers at University of Galway studying cell interactions in bowel cancer have identified innovative strategies to enhance how the body and drug treatments fight the disease. The findings of the research have been published in life science journal Cell Reports. Pictured is principal investigator, Dr Aideen Ryan.

Calls for ‘record breaking budget surplus’ to be used to tackle cancer care in Ireland

9th May 2023: Irish Times - The west and northwest regions have the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in Ireland, according to campaigners who are calling on the Government to use “record breaking budgetary surpluses” to deliver a promised cancer centre at University Hospital Galway (UHG)

New AI digital platform is set to be a gamechanger in the delivery of clinical trial education and patient care

8th May 2023: Consultant medical oncologist at University Hospital Galway, Dr Michael McCarthy, in collaboration with Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI) has developed a digital platform aimed at helping healthcare professionals keep pace with practice-changing studies, a key part of continuous medical education and professional development.

Calls to end 'two-tier' service for cancer patients in west of Ireland

8th May 2023 - RTE News: Oncologists in the west and northwest regions have called for an end to what they describe as a "two-tier health service" for cancer sufferers. A packed public meeting in Galway tonight heard how patients in the east of the country had a superior service and better survival outcomes.

WiSTEM Society visit Lambe Institute

3rd April 2023: The Women in STEM (WiSTEM) society at University of Galway hosted a table quiz in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. Dr Roisin Dwyer, Associate Professor of Translational Science, was invited to speak to the society and hosted members of the society on a tour of Lambe Institute research facilities.

Wavelia Breast Imaging Trials Opens at UHG

9th March 2023: The Wavelia Breast Imaging clinical trial opened at University Hospital Galway. Led by Prof Michael Kerin, out of the Symptomatic Breast Unit and the HRB-Clinical Research Facility, this is a trial of an innovative method for diagnosing breast cancer. It is a partnership between University of Galway, Saolta and MVG Industries.

Careers in Oncology Networking Event

6th March 2023: The University of Galway student Cancer Society hosted a Careers in Oncology networking event in the Clinical Sciences Institute. It was an opportunity for medical students to hear from cancer clinicians about their career pathways and the environment they work in now. The students also gave a presentation showcasing the cancer research fundraising activities they do. 

European Association for Cancer Research Awards

24th February 2023: Congratulations to Dr Niamh Leonard and Ms Aoise O'Neill from Dr Aideen Ryan's group in the Lambe Institute who won the EACR senior and junior research awards at the Irish Association for Cancer Research meeting in February 2023.

Public Outreach: Clarinbridge Cairde Group

22nd February 2023: University of Galway and Saolta University Health Care experts hosted Clarinbridge Cairde Club for a Women's Health Initiative information meeting. Helena Kett, Breast Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, gave a talk on breast cancer awareness and Prof Aoife Lowery spoke about the Women's Health Initiative. Dr Veronica McInerney hosted the event, and gave a tour of the HRB-Clinical Research Facility. Emer Hennessy showed off some of the laboratory research facilities in the Lambe Institute.

Dr Janice Richmond awarded Irish Cancer Society Senior Researcher of the Year

28th February 2023: Dr Janice Richmond, Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Letterkenny University Hospital was awarded the Irish Cancer Society Senior Researcher of the Year award for her work providing practical benefits to patients receiving oral anti-cancer medication in Donegal. Janice's work was co-led by the HRB-Primary Care Trials Network in collaboration with Prof Andrew Murphy.

AllCaN, All-Ireland Cancer Network, set up targeting oesophageal cancer

4th February 2023: To coincide with World Cancer Day, an investment of €1m into oesophageal cancer research has been announced by Irish cancer research charity Breakthrough Cancer Research with the establishment of AllCaN, the first All-Ireland Cancer Network. Dr Aideen Ryan, Associate Professor of Tumour Immunology, is the University of Galway lead in this network.

INTERVIEW: This researcher is investigating targeted treatments for cancer

11th January 2023 - Silicon Republic: Dr Róisín Dwyer speaks about the work of Precision Oncology Ireland to create specific, personalised medicine for cancer patients to increase impact and reduce toxic side effects.

BLOG: The multiple possibilities of small microRNAs in breast cancer

7th December 2022: Precision Oncology Ireland postdoctoral scientist Dr Vinitha Richard provides an overview on the many roles of micro-RNAs within breast tumours including shaping their development, predicting patient survival and maybe even one day forming the basis for a whole new branch of therapy.

NBCRI Launch Three-year Strategic Plan

30th November 2022: The National Breast Cancer Research Institute, launched its strategic plan to support the charity’s growth and development to 2025.

MicroRNAs can help predict disease recurrence in patients with breast cancer

23rd November 2022: Research led by Dr Matthew Davey, Professor Michael Kerin and Dr Nicola Miller, has determined that biomarkers known as microRNAs can help predict which patients with breast cancer are likely to face a recurrence of the disease and death. Presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress this national, multi-centre trial , involved 124 patients who were treated with chemotherapy. 

Outdated, over-run and ill-equipped – surgeon who is now a cancer patient in his hospital laments lack of proper facilities

26th November 2022: A Galway surgeon, Alan Hussey, who is being treated for cancer in his own hospital, has rowed in behind a call for greater urgency in building a new fit-for-purpose cancer centre to replace severely outdated facilities which are struggling to cope with patient demand.

Major Irish Cancer Society research programme extended to Galway

26th October 2022: A team of researchers at the University of Galway and University Hospital Galway led by Consultant Surgeon Prof Aoife Lowery and Dr Veronica McInerney are now bringing the LYSA trial to the west of Ireland, where it will be trialled by selected participants who have undergone cancer treatment at the hospital.

Precision Oncology Ireland Research Showcase

22nd September 2022: Dr Roisin Dwyer hosted a public engagement Research Showcase at the Lambe Institute on Sept 22nd on behalf of Precision Oncology Ireland and charity partner National Breast Cancer Research Institute for World Cancer Research Day. Members of the public were able to tour the Lambe Institute labs, met researchers and learned about the ongoing funded research projects.

BioBANC Symposium

2nd September 2022: Biobanks are the cornerstone of productive translational research – the meeting point of patient, clinician, and researcher stories. Hosted by Dr Nicola Miller and Dr Sonja Khan and the Cancer Biobank, the BioBANC Symposium was attended by over fifty multidisciplinary delegates.

Precision Cancer Treatment the Focus of a New Science on Screen Documentary

7th July 2022: The People There to Catch Us tells the story of Tom Hope and Rachel O’Mahony, two cancer survivors who work alongside researchers at Precision Oncology Ireland, to help improve the lives of others living with the disease. Featuring Dr Roisin Dwyer the film was premiered at the 2022 Galway International Film Fleadh.

Biseach Initiative Research Retreat

13th - 16th June 2022: Galway cancer researchers were delighted to host a visiting delegation of faculty and leadership from the University of Notre Dame Harper Cancer Research Institute in June 2022 as part of the Biseach Initiative. Cancer leads from NUI Galway and Harper Cancer Research Institute took part in a two-day research retreat at the Notre Dame Global Centre at Kylemore Abbey.

Saolta University Cancer Network joins OECI

15th June 2022: At the OECI Oncology Days Conference 2022 held in Valencia, Spain, the Saolta University Cancer Network was formally accepted as a member of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes.

Cancer Meeting at the Western Region Education Network

27th May 2022: Cancer academics, clinicians, oncology nurses, and leadership from the Saolta-NUI Galway Cancer Managed Clinical Academic Network (MCAN), gathered in Sligo for a Cancer Meeting as part of the School of Medicine Western Region Education Network (WREN) meeting. 

Cancer Trials Ireland visit to Galway

17th May 2022: Cancer Trials Ireland CEO, Eibhlin Mulroe, and patient advocate, Seamus Cotter, visited the Advanced Therapies and Cancer Research Group at the Clinical Research Facility, meeting with cluster lead Dr Janusz Krawczyk, Dr Veronica McInerney and team.

Call to fast-track plans for dedicated cancer centre in west

30th March 2022: At a meeting in Dublin with politicians and media, senior cancer clinicians with cancer charities have called on the Government to fast-track plans for a dedicated cancer care facility in the west and northwest.

AICRI HEA Funding #SharedIsland

2nd March 2022: The All Island Cancer Research Initiative (AICRI), "A Foundation Stone for the All-Island Cancer Research Institute: Building Critical Mass in Precision Cancer Medicine" has been funded under the HEA North-South #SharedIsland funding initiative. PIs include Dr Roisin Dwyer and Professor Michael Kerin.

Irish Cancer Society PhD Scholar Award 2022

25th February 2022: Congrats to Caitriona Duggan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Oncology who was awarded the Irish Cancer Society PhD scholar of the Year. Caitriona is based in Portiuncula University Hospital and is undertaking her PhD in the School of Nursing with Dr Peter Carr.

Irish Cancer Society Clinician Research Leadership Award

17th February 2022: Congrats to Prof Aoife Lowery, Associate Professor of Surgery, who was awarded an Irish Cancer Society Clinician Research Leadership Award for her cancer survivorship research with the Women's Health Initiative and the CARE study.

Can-REACT Cancer Rehabilitation Programme

7th February 2022- Hospital Professional News: "Can-React: A personalised at-home exercise programme, supporting long-term survivorship and rehabilitation needs of cancer patients", written by Dr Ananya Gupta.

Cancer Treatment Related Cardiac Dysfunction

7th February 2022 - Hospital Professional News: "Cancer Treatment Related Cardiac Dysfunction – Unravelling the Mechanisms to Improve Breast Cancer Patient Care and Detailing the Need for a National Cardio-Oncology Network" written by Dr Matthew Davey and Prof Aoife Lowery on behalf of the Precision Cardio-Oncology Research Enterprise (P-CORE) Group, National University of Ireland, Galway

Neutro-Predict Team Develop New Device

7th February 2022 - Hospital Professional News: Neutro-Predict Team Develop New Device, written by Dr Ananya Gupta.