Irish Cancer Society Research

As the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland, we provide approximately 4-million-euro funding per year on world class cancer research.​

The research we fund spans from areas focused on catching cancer early, developing new and improved treatments, clinical trials, through to survivorship – research which ensures people affected by cancer have good quality care and quality of life.​

We support different types of researchers in universities and hospitals all across the country.  This includes laboratory scientists, data scientists, clinical trial staff, nurses, doctors, and health and social care professionals. In 2023 we supported 188 researchers all around the country working hard to improve the outcomes of those affected by cancer. ​

An important priority for the Irish Cancer Society is supporting cancer research in areas of high unmet need. For example, research in cancers which have not benefited from the huge strides in outcome seen in some cancers (metastatic cancer, rare cancers and cancers with poor response or outcomes); the unmet needs of children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer; tackling misinformation and disinformation in cancer; addressing the needs of under-represented groups of people. 

Our research has led to hundreds of discoveries. Each of these new findings have been published in international peer reviewed journals, making this knowledge available to researchers worldwide.

Why is cancer research so important?

Why is cancer research important

Data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland, coupled with a growing ageing population, means over cancer incidence is on the rise, with over 40,000 people in Ireland being diagnosed with cancer per year. More people are getting cancer in Ireland and worldwide. 

Decades ago, most invasive cancers were fatal, with, 3/10 people in Ireland surviving their cancer diagnosis 30 years ago. Today, thanks to the incredible progress made in cancer research almost 7/10 do. And 9/10 survive breast, prostate, and testicular cancer. 

However, we still desperately need improvements in many aspects of cancer. For example, the outcome for other cancers such as lung, pancreatic and ovarian cancer lags far behind that of other forms of the disease. 

We also need to find ways that treatment can have less consequences for cancer patients and their loved ones.

Researchers won’t stop until 10 in 10 cancer patients survive their diagnosis. They’ll continue to search for answers as to what causes cancer, how it can be detected quickly and what the best treatments are. They’ll also continue to listen to people affected by cancer and investigate how the side effects of cancer treatment can be avoided, so that all cancer patients can live longer, happier lives. 

Our researchers really are making progress every day to address these issues and work towards ensuring that we are turning today’s terminal cancers into tomorrow’s treatable and survivable ones.

Types of Research That We Fund

What is cancer research

Translational research is ‘bench to bedside’ or patient-focused research which converts existing knowledge we have on cancer biology discoveries into new tools or techniques that will hopefully directly progress towards helping patients. 


Some examples of a translational preclinical research include:

  • Testing new ways to detect cancer as early as possible 
  • Looking to see if we can better predict a patient’s response to treatment 
  • Checking how effective new drugs are at killing cancer cells or tumors in the laboratory

Many of the findings from translational research naturally merge into trials. 
 

Clinical trials are organised investigations in people to examine the benefits of new approaches to treatment and care. For example, looking to see if a new medicine can improve survival for a particular form of cancer. 


As well as funding trials to test new medicines, the Irish Cancer Society also funds trials and studies in other areas which tests the effectiveness of technology, radiotherapy, surgery, psycho-oncology, exercise, nutrition, and combinations of these. 
 

Survivorship research covers the period from diagnosis to treatment outcome (including palliative and end-of-life care). Irish Cancer Society survivorship research seeks to improve the care and outcomes experienced by people living with and beyond cancer. Including: prevention and early detection of recurrent cancer; long term effects of cancer and its treatment; quality and experience of treatment and care; psycho-social effects of cancer and its treatment; self-management; health information and literacy; genetic risk and counselling; physical and practical needs e.g., financial, employment, mobility; etc. 

Learn about how we decide what research to fund

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Donate to Cancer Research

We depend on public donations to be able to continue to fund world-class research. It is thanks to your generosity that we are the largest voluntary funders of cancer research in Ireland.

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