St James's Hospital, Dublin

Irish Cancer Society research leads to exercise programme for cancer survivors

Dr Grainne Sheill's Irish Cancer Society funded research has demonstrated that exercise services can be integrated into a National Cancer Centre.

The Irish Cancer Society invests in research as to bring about a positive change to the lives of people affected by cancer. As such, the Society places emphasis on the impact of the research it funds. Sometimes, impact is measured by what is produced from research, such as a scientific article outlining important findings. 

However, these outputs do not always have an impact – perhaps the relevant people don’t see the article or don’t know what to do with the findings! So, rather than just focusing on outputs, we now look to the researcher to be change-makers, to take the outputs of their research and turn it into impact.

Dr Grainne Sheill is one such change-maker. No stranger to the Society, Grainne is involved in a number of Irish Cancer Society funded research programmes, for example the ongoing PRE-HIIT trial which is examining if a special type of exercise training increases fitness levels in people scheduled for cancer surgery.

A chartered physiotherapist who is passionate about research, Grainne works with clinical, academic and research colleagues at the Trinity St James's Cancer Institute to drive changes in both research and practice. She has a master’s (MSc) from UCD and a PhD from TCD examining the role of exercise in patients with advanced cancer.

In 2018, Grainne was granted funding to examine the feasibility of implementing an exercise programme for cancer survivors in a National Cancer Centre through a funding round called the Stimulus Award. The aim of the Stimulus Award was to drive forward an existing research project to, for example, advance cancer service prevision during and beyond the lifetime of the project. Grainne hoped to demonstrate that exercise services could be integrated into a National Cancer Centre and develop a business-case for the continued funding of the service following the award.

After completing the research study, the business case was successfully funded by St James Hospital, Dublin in 2021. The service, established by Grainne, will continue with a new full-time Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Cancer Rehabilitation.  

This post will be of huge benefit to people affected by cancer, and is just one example of the excellent research being led by clinical professionals in Ireland. The Society recognises the potential for nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to be key change-makers in cancer research. Their dual role covering clinical and academic realms allows for patient-focus research that can be translated into impact.

Because of this, we have expanded the funding opportunities available to nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, from our PhD Scholarships to career awards, such as the Cancer Nursing Research Award and the Clinician Leadership Award.

Irish Cancer Society funding opportunities

See what research funding opportunities are currently available.

Current Irish Cancer Society research

Read about the research we currently fund.

Contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line

If you have worries or concerns about cancer, you can speak confidentially to an Irish Cancer Society Cancer Nurse through the Freephone Support Line on 1800 200 700.

Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm

Roz, Cancer Nurseline