From uniform treatments to personalised cancer care
In Ireland, the cancer treatment landscape has shifted dramatically over the last decade. Patients who once faced a one-size-fits-all approach now benefit from personalised strategies that target the biology of their disease. For Lydia Whelan, a 32-year-old diagnosed with stage 2 HER2+ breast cancer in 2024, this evolution is not just a headline—it’s a lived experience.
HER2+ breast cancer: turning off the switch
HER2+ breast cancer is driven by a protein that acts like a switch, boosting growth and making the cancer more aggressive. Historically, this subtype was difficult to treat. Professor William Gallagher of University College Dublin explains that about 15% of breast cancers have high HER2, but “the landscape has changed” thanks to drugs designed to turn off that switch in various sophisticated ways. Today, many patients with HER2+ breast cancer have excellent survival prospects, reflecting a broader shift toward targeted therapies that spare patients some of the harshest chemotherapy side effects.
Personalised medicine: a new standard
The shift away from a universal treatment model is closely linked to tumour genetics. By examining the genes in tumour tissue, doctors can predict aggressiveness and tailor therapy accordingly. Ireland has been at the forefront of this approach, reducing reliance on chemotherapy when it isn’t needed and mitigating side effects for many patients.
Immunotherapy and vaccines: new frontiers
Immunotherapy has become a cornerstone of cancer care. Drugs that enlist the patient’s immune system to attack cancer cells—often by removing the cancer’s immune “cloak”—have rewritten outcomes for several cancer types. Pembrolizumab is one of the best-known examples, popularised in Ireland through public health campaigns and patient advocacy. Clinicians describe immunotherapy as “revolutionary,” with ongoing research expanding its reach.
Diagnostics evolving: from biopsies to liquid biopsies
Minimally invasive diagnostics are transforming how cancers are detected and monitored. Liquid biopsies, which analyze tumour DNA in the blood, offer a less invasive alternative to traditional tissue biopsies. In Ireland, such tests are becoming more common, guiding treatment decisions with real-time insights into how a cancer is evolving.
Early detection and prevention: regional efforts
Projects like community-based cancer screening and low-dose CT lung health checks are bringing advances to patients outside major urban centers. Early detection improves outcomes, and researchers emphasise that identifying cancer at an earlier stage can dramatically improve survival rates across multiple tumour types.
Research, data, and the potential of AI
Researchers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to personalise care further. AI can help radiologists spot subtle patterns, optimise screening, and tailor treatment plans to individual patients. For early-stage detection, prognosis, and reducing unnecessary interventions, AI represents a tool that could help clinicians refine care without adding burden to patients.
Survival trends: better outcomes, brighter futures
Thanks to advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and smarter diagnostics, the outlook for people living with cancer in Ireland has improved markedly. Claire Kilty of the Irish Cancer Society notes that five-year survival has increased across many cancers, with breast cancer nearing 90% in modern cohorts. The horizon for patients with specific subtypes like HER2+ continues to brighten as new therapies and real-world data accumulate.
Personal stories: resilience amid rapid change
Living through cancer is deeply personal. Lydia Whelan’s journey—from the shock of diagnosis to a treatment plan that included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy—highlights both the challenges and the gains of contemporary care. Her family’s support and her gratitude for evolving treatments paint a hopeful picture for others facing similar diagnoses in Ireland.
Looking ahead
While progress is clear, experts warn that continued investment in research, funding, and equitable access is essential. The goal is not only to extend life but to improve its quality by minimising side effects and personalising every treatment decision. In Ireland, the momentum toward a truly patient-centred cancer journey shows no signs of slowing.
