Community

The Irish Cancer Society is proudly supporting the virtual Childhood, Adolescent, Young Adult Cancers Survivorship Conference this year.  There will be a virtual stand available at this conference if you wish to speak with a nurse from our support line for any information about the services and supports we provide. Information about the conference, including the programme and registration can be found by clicking this link here. We know that a cancer diagnosis in a younger person can have a devastating impact on those affected, their families and communities.  Some services and supports that the Irish Cancer Society offer are: Cancer Information and advice. Through our support line, the Irish Cancer Society children’s nurse provides advice, support and information to parents.  We can be contacted by phoning 1800 200 700 or by emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie. There is also a range of information and publications available on our website. Counselling. We provide free counselling services and play therapy funded through our network of affiliated community cancer support centres. Parent Peer-to-Peer Support. In partnership with CanCare4Living, CanTeen Ireland, and the Childhood Cancer Foundation, we run Ireland’s parent peer support group for parents of children and teenagers with cancer.  Financial Assistance. The Children’s Fund and Travel2Care schemes gives direct financial support to any family who experience a childhood cancer diagnosis. Childhood Cancer Fertility Project. Providing services and developing new methods to preserve fertility for children and young adults after childhood cancer, further information can be found here. Night Nursing. We provide free in-home night nursing care for children and young adults at end-of-life. As part of our strategy 2020 – 2025 we are working to significantly enhance and expand the supports and services which we provide for children and young adults affected by cancer.  If you would like to speak with a cancer nurse about any of these services or for any support or advice, our Support line is available by phone on 1800 200 700 or emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie or alternatively you can drop into one of our Daffodil centres.

Hi Guys Hoping you can help. I finished treatment for breast cancer in january..My last scan was clear..I'm taking tamoxifen for the next 5 years and trying to push forward..However i just can't seem to shake the feeling not wanting to do anything off..I feel like a shell of myself and have really low days..I was 100 miles an hour through treatment and had so many plans for when i finished it..I fear recurrence alot..I want to be on my own alot too..I watch people find themselves and become so motivated after treatment but I'm just not there.

Rectum

My pharmacy says that the total cost of my medication is not covered under the Drugs Payment Scheme as I am having 2 cycles of chemo per month. Is this usual?

Hi I'm new to the forum. My husband was diagnosed with FAP over 13 years ago and had an immediate preventative subtotal colonectomy with IRA. Wondering has anyone out there also been diagnosed with this very rare genetic condition and if so, if they'd like to share?

Hi found a lump on my breast and my doc referred me for an urgent mammogram 3 weeks ago but haven't heard anything yet. It's been the longest 3 weeks of my life it's all I think about day and night. Can anyone give me any idea of how long it usually takes?? I'm sure with covid and cyber attack that it has probably made waiting time longer, if I had some idea I might not feel so anxious ( probably wishful thinking)

Hi, I would like to chat to people diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. I am fortunate to have recovered from a total hysterectomy and do not need any further treatment. I am quite shaken from having the diagnosis even though I am very fortunate and so much luckier than others with this situation. I’d so much like to link up with others who have had a similar experience .

Our free annual patient conference is taking place online next Wednesday, 2 June and Thursday, 3 June. A range of speakers will share their experiences, stories and expert knowledge on living well after a cancer diagnosis through a mix of virtual presentations, interactive workshops and Q&A sessions. The last year has been difficult for people affected by cancer and the uncertainty and isolation continues for many. We would encourage cancer patients, survivors and those that care for them to join us for this unique online event, all from the comfort of your own home. We will look at topics like self-care, healthy eating, exercise as well as advances in cancer treatment. We will also have a virtual exhibition area where you can view information and interact with a range of educational and practical exhibitors and cancer support services. Information about and registration for the conference can be found here.

Hi, I had a biopsy 10 days ago. I’m due back for results this coming Friday. I’m completely freaking out. My breast is very tender after the biopsy and last night I had blood from my nipple. It’s the longest two weeks of my life.

I’m at a loss here so im reaching out to you to see what we can do. My mother had a radical cystectomy over a year ago and the cancer has come back. She is being treated in one of the Dublin hospitals. The regrowth had been missed on a scan but bleeding continued and was eventually found. Last week they brought her up and got her ready for a radium treatment plan. She got an ok to leave the hospital on Friday, tattoos in place, all ready to start treatment on Tuesday. They were to call her back. It was getting late this evening (the Tuesday her treatment was suppose to start) so she called to see what was happening as we don’t live in Dublin and she had been sitting there with bags packed waiting for a call for two days. The secretary she spoke to gave her a new diagnosis and treatment plan and schedule over the phone. Highly irregular and highly upsetting for her. She is approaching 80 years of age and is as timid as you can imagine. The call with the secretary ended leaving her felling a bit lost and very upset. A few minutes later, just as she was coming to terms with all this, the Dr of radiation Oncology called her. She thought this would be to clear thing up. When she answered the phone he attacked her. How dare she be so ungrateful to bother the staff. After all they had done for her. If she didn’t like it she could go find some other hospital to do her treatment. She is absolutely destroyed at this point. Im speechless. We are going to try to move hospitals but feel we will just delay treatment further. I cant believe how he treated her. Completely inhumane, so much so one the other staff overheard the attack he leveled at her and contacted my mother a few moments later to see if she was ok and offered her apology and tried to answer anything she could. So now we are left we no idea what is happening and my mother has suffered a degrading personal attack by the person entrusted with treating her. I’m angry as hell with him but more than that I’m am devastated for my mother who goes to bed tonight demeaned, belittled and with no idea what tomorrow will bring regarding her treatment. What the hell do we do in this situation.