Patients’ views central to new cancer strategy – Mulherin

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has said that the inclusion of a patient representative on the new Cancer Strategy Steering Group is the correct decision as the views of patients should be central to the new strategy. Deputy Mulherin received confirmation of the inclusion of a patient representative from the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar.

“I have advocated the need for a representative of patients to be included in the new National Cancer Strategy Steering Group. It is vitally important to have patients on this group. Much of the strategy deals with the issue of prevention and early detection. It is cancer sufferers, survivors and their families bring their unique perspective to the table of solutions in the battle against cancer. The Minister for Health has confirmed to me that the Cancer Strategy Steering Group had its first meeting last week. This group is due to report to the Minister later this year.

“Interested members of the public and organisations will also be invited to make submissions.

“I have also urged the Minister to consider an information and awareness campaign to focus on rarer forms of cancer. The current strategy focuses on high incidence cancers but there is a need to incorporate rarer forms into the new strategy in order to increase the early detection of these types of cancer which leads to a more favourable prognosis with treatment increasing the numbers who survive.

“Also I have asked the Minister to require the Steering Group to review the operation and capacity of Galway University Hospital as a Centre of Excellence for Cancer Treatment to ensure that Mayo oncology patients are not disadvantaged owing to geographical distance, are afforded proper priority and receive appropriate treatment in a timely manner from a specialist oncology team at GUH.

“The new National Cancer Strategy allows us to take stock of the current strategy and to set out the direction for our cancer services for the next decade. I am sure that it will have a further positive impact on the number of people surviving cancer in Ireland. In particular I want to compliment the individuals and patients who give of their time towards this, including the ordinary citizens who show solidarity and fundraise to support cancer sufferers and medical research in the battle against cancer. ”