Working Life: Radiation oncology is like virtual surgery, where you deliver targeted treatment
'I'm originally from Newcastle, Co Down. I completed my training in hospitals in Belfast and Amsterdam, and took up a consultant post in Belfast. I was then appointed as director of radiation oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia's largest cancer centre. All my family — my wife Suzie, a GP, and children Alice, Patrick and James — moved there in 2018.
'We loved Peter Mac and Australia, but missed friends and family in Ireland and came back in 2021. I love being home. It's a good opportunity to build on our cancer infrastructure and keep Ireland on the map.
'When I was a junior doctor, I was drawn to trying to turn things around for people with cancer. It's a very holistic specialty, often you are supporting patients for long periods or maybe curing them or extending their lives. I wanted to practice a form of medicine that was people-centred.
'Radiation oncology is like virtual surgery, where you deliver targeted treatment without opening people up.
Prof. Gerry Hanna, Vice Clinical Lead at Cancer Trials Ireland: "The hard part of the job is when patients relapse, or when you can't offer a treatment to change the course of the disease in any meaningful way." Picture: Moya Nolan
'The hard part of the job is when patients relapse, or when you can't offer a treatment to change the course of the disease in any meaningful way. This can be very distressing. But overall oncology can be a very uplifting specialty to work in.
'I wear a number of hats. I'm a consultant in radiation oncology at the St Luke's radiation oncology network and the Trinity St James Cancer Institute.
"I'm also vice clinical lead at Clinical Trials Ireland, an organisation that sponsors and manages Irish-led cancer trials, as well as working with international research groups and global pharma companies.
'Clinical trials are crucial for examining new treatments and for assessing their safety and efficacy. They offer patients an opportunity to try new treatments that may improve their outcomes, such as a person's survival from cancer or reducing the risk of cancer coming back.
'Most patients who take part in clinical trials do so because they know it will help patients in the future.
'Clinical trials are also really important for hospitals, as they bring higher levels of oversight, and this high quality of care creates an ethos of excellence among clinical teams.'
As part of its 'Just Ask' campaign, Cancer Trials Ireland is encouraging people with cancer undergoing treatment to 'just ask' their doctors about the clinical trial options open to them. More details: cancertrials.ie/JustAsk+-ACI
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
27 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Parents of boy (9) who waited years for surgery vow to continue campaigning after his death
'OUR ROCK STAR' | 'We have to continue to campaign for other kids, because if we didn't we would be doing Harvey a disservice.' Harvey Morrison Sherratt. 'We are devastated, Harvey was our rock star, and we will continue to campaign for other children in similar situations as Harvey,' his father, Stephen Morrison, said. 'We have to continue to campaign for other kids, because if we didn't we would be doing Harvey a disservice.' 'After a while we will go strong again in our campaign. There are so many other children like Harvey and families like ours who need help and support,' Mr Morrison said. 'Harvey was our Little Rock star, he would burst into a room, he wanted to let everyone know he was in the room. 'Anyone who met him said he had these big wide beautiful eyes that would draw you into him, a lot of people said to us that they felt like Harvey was here before, that he was an old soul.' 'Harvey was battling for so long, we are absolutely devastated,' Stephen said. Harvey Morrison Sherratt. News in 90 Seconds, Friday August 1 Little Harvey's remains will repose at Massey Bros Funeral Home, Clondalkin, Dublin, from 3pm-5pm, Friday, August 1. Harvey will be remembered at a public cremation service, at Newland's Crematorium Chapel, Newlands Cross, Dublin, (D22 EOCO), at 1pm, Saturday. Harvey, from Clondalkin, was waiting three years for scoliosis surgery as the curvature on his spine continued to extend to a life-threatening 130 degrees. The spinal curve grew so serious that it was crushing Harvey's ribcage and lungs and putting severe pressure on his heart. His severe condition was highlighted in February 2024 when his parents, Gillian Sherratt and Mr Morrison, shared a heartbreaking video of their vulnerable son struggling to breathe due to the curve on his spine. The boy's story of perseverance in the face of his worsening condition and delays in his surgery, as well as growing spinal waiting lists for children's surgery nationally, were all later highlighted in the Dáil. Despite long demanding action over their son's surgery, Ms Sherratt discovered during a routine enquiry last August that, in fact, Harvey had been removed from Children's Health Ireland's active scoliosis surgical waiting list without their knowledge. Read more While not directly involved in their son's care, orthopaedic surgeon David Moore, emailed Ms Sherratt in response and told her: "I apologise for any misunderstanding that appears to have occurred in respect of Harvey's case." Mr Moore also explained in the email that Harvey was not a candidate for surgery abroad, but that he was "happy to facilitate' Harvey being reviewed by two Irish-based surgeons. Harvey eventually had his surgery last December, however as his curve had grown to such a significant size, it was impossible to completely correct it. Professor Damian McCormack, lead consultant surgeon in paediatric orthopaedic surgery at Temple Street Children's Hospital, performed the surgery reducing some of the pressure on the boy's lungs and heart. Ms Sherratt said at the time that she and Mr Morrison had 'huge respect' for Prof McCormack, and that they were 'so thankful to Professor Damian McCormack for being the only person that was actually willing to operate on Harvey'. In a statement on Tuesday, Ms Sherratt said: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that myself and Stephen (Morrison) have to announce that our little rockstar Harvey passed away this morning with us by his side, arrangements to follow and it will be open to any and all of you who have supported him throughout his short life.' In a poignant joint tribute to their son, in his obituary notice, they wrote: 'Words cannot convey the heartbreak we feel in announcing that on 29th July after a very short illness, our little rockstar Harvey passed away in the arms of mum and dad.' 'He will be dearly missed by anyone who was lucky enough to know him…In his short life Harvey faced more challenges than most, and was the bravest, strongest and most courageous boy.' 'To know him was to love him, and he definitely left his mark on this world. 'If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever'.' Harvey's parents invited friends and the wider public 'to join us to celebrate Harvey's life, and dress in colour' at his cremation service, and they asked that mourners make a donation, if desired, to Child Vision In Memory of Harvey, in lieu of flowers. Harvey Morrison Sherratt is survived by his parents Gillian and Stephen, his sister Lyla and brother Remy, grandparents Ann, Gordon, Christina and Thomas, and his aunts, uncles and cousins.
Agriland
an hour ago
- Agriland
HSE advises public not to touch sick or dead wild birds
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is advising the public not to touch or handle any sick or dead wild birds, because of the risks of avian influenza (bird flu). The warning follows confirmation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) that bird flu had been discovered in a backyard flock in Co. Donegal. There are no trade implications for the Irish poultry industry in relation to this detection, due to the very small size of the flock. Bird flu is a type of influenza that primarily affects wild birds and poultry, and which can also occasionally infect some mammals and humans. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a type of avian influenza that can cause high levels of illness and deaths in birds. Of the many strains of HPAI viruses, the H5N1 virus is widely regarded as the most serious for both birds and humans. Since 2003, there have been nearly 1,000 human cases of H5N1, half of whom have died. According to the HSE it is "very unusual for people to catch bird flu, but it can happen". "Currently, it is hard to catch avian influenza from a bird or animal, and there is no evidence that it can be passed between people, but if the virus mutates (changes) this may happen in the future," the executive said. As the H5N1 HPAI virus is circulating in wild birds in Ireland, the HSE is reiterating the advice issued by DAFM to the public, including: Do not to touch sick or dead wild birds; Do not touch wild bird feathers or droppings; Avoid contact with surfaces contaminated with wild bird droppings; DAFM requests that all sick/dead wild birds are reported via the Avian Check app. While not all dead birds will be collected for testing, reporting is greatly appreciated and provides important information to support surveillance and risk assessment activities. The HSE added that if a person picks up or handles sick or dead wild birds that are found to be infected with avian influenza, they will be monitored for a period of 10 days. The person may be offered antiviral medication and vaccination if they are considered to be at risk.
Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Dublin family pushing to increase crucial services for people living with Alzheimer's
'The Alzheimer Society's Day Care has been an absolute lifeline for us.' Sylvia Mulhall is one of tens of thousands of Irish people living with dementia — and her family says that day services, as well as the nature of their mum's disease, has enabled the family to share her care. Now Sylvia's daughter Jenny Tobin is calling on the government to improve funding and support for people living with the disease. Over 64,000 people in Ireland live with dementia, with that number expected to increase in the years ahead. On September 21 —which is World Alzheimer's Day — thousands of Irish people will come together in locations across the country to remember and honour those living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia — and the families who stand beside them every step of the way. Alzheimer's sufferer Sylvia Mulhall with her husband Shay and daughter Caitriona Among them will be Sylvia's loved ones, who will fundraise for the services that have made such a difference to their lives. 'The Memory Walk is another way to bring us all together as a family, to go out to try and raise awareness,' says Jenny. 'We're lucky as a family that we're bonded, and that Mam isn't a wanderer and she's happy and content. 'There are other families who have it an awful lot harder and it's to raise awareness of how prevalent Alzheimer's has become, and it's going to become more and more prevalent in years to come.' Still, Jenny feels that more could be done by the State to support people with dementia and their loved ones. 'The services that we have now are nowhere near what they should be to look after patients with Alzheimer's,' she says. Alzheimer's sufferer Sylvia Mulhall with her husband Shay and daughter Caitriona News in 90 Seconds, Friday August 1 'We keep raising awareness and keep trying to raise money for it — they are vital services for the families. It's vitally important to give people supports — they need a rest, a break.' Jenny says that the fact that their mother's Alzheimer's has progressed slowly means she is cared for at home by husband Shay, who she married 57 years ago. The couple are supported by children Jenny, Caitriona and Jimmy as well as other family members. A day centre that Sylvia attends a few days a week has also made a huge difference. 'She lives at home with Dad, and only this last few months now, we have a carer that comes in four mornings a week. 'Three days a week, she goes to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland Day Care in Curlew Road, which is amazing. Read more 'The staff have been so welcoming and warm. It's like a home from home for us. 'They treat my Mam and all the other residents there with such dignity, care, respect, kindness. 'Every day she looks forward to going in. And my dad then gets a little bit of a break at home. 'They really have been an absolute and utter lifeline to us, mostly for Dad, because he's living there 24/7 — myself and my brother and sister are up and down all the time. It's Dad who's living the life of caring for mam, really, and they're both 81.' Though the disease has been hard for Sylvia and her loved ones, Jenny says the family takes great joy in the fact that their mother, from Chapelizod, Dublin, is content and has fun in her days. 'We'll hop in the car, and then I'll drive up to Lucan and get her a cone or a Turkish Delight bar of chocolate, and we have a spin around, and we might drive through the Strawberry Beds, and we sing a few songs and go in through Phoenix Park and then home. That hour just settles her then in the evenings. 'She's so funny and she still has that little bit of fun and wit about her. 'She doesn't always remember my name, she doesn't always remember Caitriona's name or Jimmy. 'When she doesn't remember, we don't get upset about it — it's just the Alzheimer's. It's not her. 'Once she is happy, the four of us are extremely happy.' Memory Walk, says Jenny, can be a bonding experience for families and carers who have a shared experience on the day. 'Everybody kind of gets each other. Everybody has empathy for each other. Some of the Alzheimer's clients can come along to the walk, and they can do, and everybody has a sense of patience. 'It's like a camaraderie, and everybody coming together for one cause and understands each other as a collective group of people together.' Memory Walk honours, remembers, and celebrates the 64,000 people in Ireland living with dementia, along with their families and carers. It also cherishes the memory of those who are no longer with us. In 2024, almost 3,500 walkers participated in Memory Walk and raised over €150,000, which helped fund vital services for people with dementia, including daycare, daycare at home, family carer training, social clubs, cafés, and a national helpline.
