Latest news with #CancerTrialsIreland
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Throat cancer: "I noticed the lump while swallowing"
Almost 800 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed in Ireland each year, according to the National Cancer Registry 2024 Report. They include cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, salivary glands, nasal cavity, sinuses, and middle ear. Because more than two-thirds of patients are diagnosed with late-stage head and neck cancer, Ireland's five-year survival rate is just 48%. Professor Sinéad Brennan, a radiation oncologist at St Luke's and St James's Hospitals in Dublin and chair of the Head and Neck Cancer Disease-Specific Subgroup at Cancer Trials Ireland, aims to improve this statistic by educating people on the early warning signs. 'Through prevention and early detection, we could prevent so many more people from dying of head and neck cancer,' she says. 'If you've got a lump in your throat that doesn't go away, a persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing or hoarseness that goes on longer for three or four weeks, pay a visit to your GP.' It was a lump in his throat that prompted 58-year-old Mike Freeney from Castleconnell, Co Limerick, to visit his doctor in 2022. 'It was a small lump that made swallowing not difficult but different,' says the head of business development in Ireland for construction company Kiely Brothers and former ultra runner. 'My wife had also heard a crackle in my breath, and while I was out running with my training group, I'd started finding it hard to keep up. My breathing seemed to be off.' Blood tests, CAT, PET, and MRI scans followed. Freeney was diagnosed with throat cancer and started treatment. He did 35 radiation sessions in the Mater Private in Limerick and six chemotherapy sessions in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The gruelling treatment took a toll on his body. 'I was unable to speak for three weeks, and that was hard for a non-stop talker like me,' he jokes. 'Even now, I have to be careful. My voice gets croaky if I talk a lot, so I make sure to keep drinking water to prevent that from happening.' Mike Freeney: 'When I'm alone with the pain in the darkness, I can't help but worry. And when I'm due to go for a scan or waiting for results, I feel a sense of dread. But that's a mental thing I have to get over.' Picture: Brendan Gleeson Eating was even more challenging as the radiation caused painful sores in his mouth, and for weeks around the time of the treatment, all he could bear to eat were high-calorie shakes. Although he can now eat normally, his taste buds have been permanently altered. 'I used to like chocolate, but now I think it tastes horrible,' he says. 'And I still have difficulty eating dry food. I need to add gravy or sauce, otherwise I can't eat it.' One of the side effects of radiation is that it can cause muscles to become stiff and sore. 'It made my whole body feel tight,' says Freeney. 'I worked with a cancer rehabilitation physiotherapist to help me deal with it.' Like all cancer patients, he also underwent regular scans to monitor his recovery. The throat cancer disappeared following the initial treatment, but a year or so later, a cancerous growth unrelated to this throat cancer was found on his spine, which required further radiation treatment. 'That seemed to work, but when I went back for another scan in November 2023, there were small cancerous nodules in my lungs and two more small ones on my spine,' he says. 'So I did 10 more rounds of radiation and started immunotherapy. As of August 2024, my throat, lungs and spine are clear of cancer, and everything seems stable.' He acknowledges that he is still reeling from the physical and psychological aftermath of his experience. Physically, he regularly experiences pain in the parts of his body that were treated with radiation and he has ongoing physiotherapy and attends yoga classes to help deal with it. There are times when the pain makes him worry the cancer is back. 'Especially if I'm lying awake at night,' he says. 'When I'm alone with the pain in the darkness, I can't help but worry. And when I'm due to go for a scan or waiting for results, I feel a sense of dread. But that's a mental thing I have to get over.' He attended counselling in the oncology support centre in UHL and found it very helpful. It taught him to reassure himself with the thought that he has already overcome cancer more than once. 'I tell myself that it's not necessarily a death sentence if the cancer comes back and that I'm doing what I can to keep my body healthy by eating well and exercising,' he says. 'I can no longer go on ultra runs and I miss the challenge of them but I'm getting into cycling instead.' Freeney also goes to the doctor whenever he genuinely thinks there might be something wrong. He advises everyone else to do so, too. 'Listen to your own body and advocate for your health,' he says. 'Ask questions and don't stop asking them until you get proper answers.' Professor Sinead Brennan Brennan adds that there are other things we can all do to reduce our risk of head and neck cancer. 'The HPV virus causes a subset of head and neck cancer that occurs in the tonsils or back of throat, and the National Cancer Registry shows there are approximately 200 cases of these cancers every year,' she says. 'The HPV vaccine that is given to boys and girls in first year of secondary school will help prevent these cancers as well as cervical, vulval, vaginal, penile, and anal cancers. All teenagers should be encouraged to get this vaccine.' Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are two of the other major risk factors. 'If people smoke less and reduce their alcohol intake, they can significantly reduce their risk of head and neck cancer,' says Brennan. As for Freeney, he is now focusing on the positive impact of his cancer experience and not on the negative. 'The mental impact of cancer is tough but if you get through it, it can make you stronger,' he says. 'It has made me more appreciative of what I have. It has made me want to really live my life.' Sunday, July 27, is World Head and Neck Cancer Day. It's a day devoted to raising awareness of these cancers, their risk factors and the importance of early detection. If you have questions or concerns about cancer, contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I was a Grand National jockey shown ‘lifeless' at Aintree after horrific fall – now I'm making a comeback for my kids
A FORMER Grand National jockey shown 'lifeless' on the Aintree turf to millions after a devastating fall is ignoring doctors and making a shock return to the saddle. Davy Condon, who looked destined to be racing's next big thing after being snapped up by Advertisement 3 Davy Condon was a superstar jockey but saw his world come crashing down in a horrific Grand National fall Credit: Alamy 3 A Cheltenham Festival-winning rider, he had banged in winners for Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott Credit: Alamy 3 But Condon was forced to retire after millions watching on home saw his limp body lie motionless on the Aintree turf following a fall from Portrait King in the 2015 National The Irish rider, who TV images showed face-down in the mud as on-course medics rushed to his side, was left with 'spinal concussion' and forced to retire aged 30. Condon was one of the top riders at the time, a teenage sensation-turned-Cheltenham Festival winner and Group 1 champion. But his world came crashing down that Saturday afternoon ten years ago when he was launched from Portrait King at the third-last fence in a Grand National won by Many Clouds. "I was lying on the ground. I couldn't move," he recalled. Advertisement He spent two nights in hospital as a result with doctors ultimately telling him it was too dangerous to ride again. Condon officially called it quits later that month and admitted to 'feeling lost' in the days afterwards. But a decade later he has decided to risk it all again and race at the Curragh in Ireland later this year. Condon will don his silks, lace up his boots and grab his whip for the Pat Smullen Charity Race on August 30. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing The contest raised funds for Cancer Trials Ireland and is run in honour of nine-time champion Irish jockey Pat Smullen, who died from pancreatic cancer in September 2020. Condon, dad to two young boys aged four and six, said he was moved to race again partly because of them. He told the Condon, who worked as an assistant for Gordon Elliott before going to break in horses for Shadwell in Dubai only to return as assistant to Cheltenham Festival-winning trianer Cian Collins, said: "I wanted to ride in a charity race as a kind of mid-life crisis thing! Advertisement "I have two young boys who are four and six and they never saw me riding. "They see the photos and are always asking me questions. "I told my cousin Paul Townend I wanted to do a charity race and he pointed me in the direction of this one at the Curragh. "I was emotional telling the children I was going to be in the race. Advertisement "They were jumping around the place, all excited." Condon won millions in the saddle, having been signed by Mullins at an early age. He was a Grade 1 winner under the all-conquering Closutton boss, landing the 2007 Supreme on 40-1 outsider Ebaziyan. Condon and Mullins also had success with the likes of serial winner Homer Wells, Holy Orders, Our Ben and Jayo. Advertisement But it was with Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott he would enjoy later victories, his final Grade 1 being the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle aboard Morning Assembly at Punchestown in April 2013. Donate to his FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Advertisement
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
I was a Grand National jockey shown ‘lifeless' at Aintree after horrific fall – now I'm making a comeback for my kids
A FORMER Grand National jockey shown 'lifeless' on the Aintree turf to millions after a devastating fall is ignoring doctors and making a shock return to the saddle. Davy Condon, who looked destined to be racing's next big thing after being snapped up by Willie Mullins upon leaving school, was paralysed in the horrendous 2015 spill. 3 3 3 The Irish rider, who TV images showed face-down in the mud as on-course medics rushed to his side, was left with 'spinal concussion' and forced to retire aged 30. Condon was one of the top riders at the time, a teenage sensation-turned-Cheltenham Festival winner and Group 1 champion. But his world came crashing down that Saturday afternoon ten years ago when he was launched from Portrait King at the third-last fence in a Grand National won by Many Clouds. "I was lying on the ground. I couldn't move," he recalled. He spent two nights in hospital as a result with doctors ultimately telling him it was too dangerous to ride again. Condon officially called it quits later that month and admitted to 'feeling lost' in the days afterwards. But a decade later he has decided to risk it all again and race at the Curragh in Ireland later this year. Condon will don his silks, lace up his boots and grab his whip for the Pat Smullen Charity Race on August 30. The contest raises funds for Cancer Trials Ireland and is run in honour of nine-time champion Irish jockey Pat Smullen, who died from pancreatic cancer in September 2020. Condon, dad to two young boys aged four and six, said he was moved to race again partly because of them. He told the Racing Post they never saw him in the saddle - and now can't wait to see why dad used to be such a big deal. Condon, who worked as an assistant for Gordon Elliott before going to break in horses for Shadwell in Dubai only to return as assistant to Cheltenham Festival-winning trianer Cian Collins, said: "I wanted to ride in a charity race as a kind of mid-life crisis thing! "I have two young boys who are four and six and they never saw me riding. "They see the photos and are always asking me questions. "I told my cousin Paul Townend I wanted to do a charity race and he pointed me in the direction of this one at the Curragh. "I was emotional telling the children I was going to be in the race. "They were jumping around the place, all excited." Condon won millions in the saddle, having been signed by Mullins at an early age. He was a Grade 1 winner under the all-conquering Closutton boss, landing the 2007 Supreme on 40-1 outsider Ebaziyan. Condon and Mullins also had success with the likes of serial winner Homer Wells, Holy Orders, Our Ben and Jayo. But it was with Noel Meade and Gordon Elliott he would enjoy later victories, his final Grade 1 being the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle aboard Morning Assembly at Punchestown in April 2013. Donate to his GoFundMe page here. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
Irish Examiner
23-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Working Life: Radiation oncology is like virtual surgery, where you deliver targeted treatment
Professor Gerry Hanna, Marie Curie chair of clinical oncology at TCD, and vice clinical lead, Cancer Trials Ireland '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:
