From shock to progress: a new era in Irish cancer care
When Lydia Whelan discovered an indentation on her breast in the summer of 2024, she faced more than a diagnosis. The 32-year-old learned she had stage 2 breast cancer, a moment that could have derailed many lives. Instead, it underscored a broader shift in Ireland’s approach to cancer: treatment is becoming increasingly personalized, targeted, and hopeful.
HER2-positive breast cancer, which Lydia faced, is known for its aggressive profile. Yet doctors emphasised that it is also highly treatable thanks to modern therapies that specifically target the HER2 protein. Professor William Gallagher of University College Dublin (UCD) explains that this form used to be particularly challenging, but advances now allow doctors to “turn off that switch” with targeted drugs and combinations designed to work in a more sophisticated way.
The transformation in Ireland’s cancer landscape
The evolution in treatment is part of a global trend, but Ireland has actively embraced innovations that are reshaping outcomes. Historically, cancer treatment centered on surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy—often with significant side effects. Today, researchers use genetic information from tumours to predict aggression and tailor therapies accordingly. As Professor Gallagher notes, this has enabled some patients to avoid chemotherapy when their tumours aren’t aggressive, reducing toxicity and preserving quality of life.
Because of these advances, more than 220,000 people in Ireland are living with or after cancer—a 50% increase from a decade ago. Claire Kilty, head of research at the Irish Cancer Society, highlights the impact: “Thirty years ago, three in 10 survived. Now, it’s six in 10. And nine in 10 for breast cancer.” Immunotherapies, in particular, have changed the game by empowering the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
Immunotherapy and the rise of cancer vaccines
Immunotherapy drugs, such as pembrolizumab, are at the forefront of the current wave of treatments. They work by lifting the cancer’s cloak, making it easier for the immune system to attack. Ireland has also seen accelerated interest in cancer vaccines, with researchers exploring mRNA-based approaches initially developed for COVID-19 as potential cancer therapies. These innovations promise longer, better-quality lives for many patients.
New diagnostics, better predictions, fewer side effects
Liquid biopsies—blood tests that detect tumour DNA—are becoming more common in Ireland, offering a less invasive means to monitor cancer and guide treatment choices. This shift is particularly visible in lung cancer, where early detection can substantially improve outcomes. The move toward personalised medicine dovetails with advances in imaging and artificial intelligence, which may help radiologists spot patterns that inform individualized care plans.
Real-life impact: a patient’s journey
For Lydia Whelan, the journey was arduous—six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and fifteen weeks of radiotherapy—but the outcome has been life-affirming. She describes the recovery as grueling, yet notes that modern treatment options have made what could be an almost insurmountable challenge manageable. As she completed her treatment, Lydia spoke of gratitude for the progress in care that helped her continue to be present for family moments she cherishes.
Future horizons: targeted research and personalised care for all
In Ireland, researchers are looking beyond one-size-fits-all solutions. Prostate cancer research by early-career scientists like Kate Duffy aims to prevent metastasis by interrupting cancer communication between cells. The overarching goal is a healthcare system that delivers precise, minimally burdensome therapies while expanding access to cutting-edge treatments across communities.
As the Irish Cancer Society’s researchers and clinicians continue to bridge lab discoveries with patient care, the patient experience remains central. The focus is on fewer side effects, longer survival, and a higher quality of life—an objective Lydia embodies as she looks to the future with optimism and gratitude for the strides made in Ireland’s cancer care.
