On the 25th July, the Young Onset Cancer Team at Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute (TSJCI) welcomed over 50 patients, family members, and supporters to a patient event at the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham. This gathering was designed to empower patients, promote advocacy, and create a welcoming space for individuals to meet others who truly understand what it means to face a cancer diagnosis at a younger age.

The programme for the day was rich and varied, featuring expert panel discussions, open Q&A sessions, and inspiring personal stories. Attendees had the chance to hear directly from specialists about the latest developments in young onset cancer care, as well as from patients who shared their own experiences and coping strategies. Just as importantly, the event created space for informal conversations, where people could connect over shared challenges and offer each other encouragement. Many participants commented on how uplifting it was to not only gain new knowledge but also to feel part of a supportive community.

The Young Onset programme at TSJCI is generously funded by our charity partner, the Irish Cancer Society, and is a five-year pilot initiative with an ambitious vision: to improve patient pathways, deliver more comprehensive and holistic care, and address the unmet needs that younger cancer patients often face. While the physical impact of cancer is significant for all patients, the challenges for younger people can be especially complex. Issues such as sexual health, fertility preservation, reproductive health, career progression, and financial stability often become pressing concerns alongside treatment.

Recognising these needs, the programme brings together a dedicated clinical team with specialist expertise. It is co-directed by Professor Maeve Lowery and Dr Emily Harrold and supported by an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in sexual health, fertility, and menopause; an ANP in survivorship and wellbeing; and a senior medical social worker. Together, they are working to provide care that addresses not just the disease, but the whole person and their life beyond cancer treatment.

Events like the one in Kilmainham are an important part of this mission. They offer patients an opportunity to engage directly with the people shaping their care, to have their voices heard, and to help guide the future direction of the programme. As the Young Onset initiative continues to grow, more events, outreach opportunities, and service developments are planned – all with the same core aim: to support, inform, and empower younger cancer patients every step of the way.

Author:

Nicola Keohane