Survivorship

We place great importance on quality of life after treatment for cancer and offer a variety of support services to achieve this. We have established a lymphoedema early detection service with specialist physiotherapists. Patients may require other appropriate services following their gynaecological cancer treatment such as dietetics, physiotherapy, stoma care and social work. 

in 2020 we received funding from the Irish Cancer Society as part of the Women’s Health Initiative  to further develop survivorship services. Based in the Mater Misericordia University Hospital, St Vincent’s University Hospital and The National Maternity Hospital this nurse-led pilot will initially focus on women who are living with and beyond breast and gynaecological cancer. It has been developed in consultation with Professor Martha Hickey of the University of Melbourne, and with strong Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) participation.

The work of the pilot clinic over the next two years will include:

  • A ‘Menopause After Cancer’ study aiming to use a digital intervention for sleep disturbance and improved communication about illness between patients and their partners or significant other
  • A diagnosis delivery project aimed at supporting staff and women in the delivery of diagnoses in a more organised, clear and compassionate manner
  • A ‘Virtual Passport’ for women containing individualised information personalised and tailored for each patient based on their disease site, stage and treatment modalities received using a virtual platform. Phase one will centre on cervical cancer.
  • A nurse-led survivorship clinic using a stepped-care model supported by resources within the hospitals along with community-based supports, initially focussing on cervical cancer for the first phase of the project.

The survivorship project is coordinated by Yvonne O’Meara (yvonne.omeara1@ucd.ie) who has extensive national and international experience in this area. We place specific emphasis on early and regular patient involvement in service development and validation of the impact of new interventions.  We are delighted to include a number of patients on the Survivorship Steering Committee.

Examples of our approach are outlined including a Menopause after Cancer survey published by patients and a podcast produced by the Irish Cancer Society.

Please see - Life after Cancer (LACC) – The real-life impact on women living with and after cancer - Booklet here:

Life after Cancer booklet