{"id":8884,"date":"2023-06-12T11:55:06","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T11:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/?p=8884"},"modified":"2023-07-05T10:13:16","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T10:13:16","slug":"multidisciplinary-approach-to-cancer-survivorship-can-help-more-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/oncology\/multidisciplinary-approach-to-cancer-survivorship-can-help-more-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"Multidisciplinary approach to cancer survivorship can help more patients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"background-color:#f2f2f2;color:#32373c\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-profile-box round ab-has-avatar ab-font-size-14 ab-block-profile ab-profile-columns\"><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-avatar-wrap\"><div class=\"ab-profile-image-wrap\"><figure class=\"ab-profile-image-square\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" class=\"ab-profile-avatar wp-image-8923\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210330\/Aoife-Lowery-2921.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210330\/Aoife-Lowery-2921.jpg 400w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210330\/Aoife-Lowery-2921-125x125.jpg 125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ab-profile-column ab-profile-content-wrap\"><h2 class=\"ab-profile-name\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Professor Aoife Lowery<\/h2><p class=\"ab-profile-title\" style=\"color:#32373c\">Consultant Surgeon at Galway University Hospital and Associate Professor <br\/>in the Discipline of Surgery, <a href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Galway<\/a><\/p><div class=\"ab-profile-text\"><\/div><ul class=\"ab-social-links\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>As cancer patients are often able to live longer with modern interventions, a multidisciplinary team in Galway are addressing survivorship, recovery and treatment to ensure the best possible quality of life.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>The prognosis for breast cancer patients in Ireland has improved significantly since the introduction of the breast cancer screening programme and improved therapies, including radiation and targeted treatments. The overall prognosis is now 85% \u2014 an improvement of 5% in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-1448453417\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-829810153\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"UoG2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210311\/UoG2.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210311\/UoG2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210311\/UoG2-768x256.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" width=\"750\" height=\"250\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cancer survivorship and tackling treatment issues<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMost patients diagnosed through the breast cancer screening programme will be diagnosed in the early stages, and we would consider their disease to be curable. There is a five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer (stage 1) of 98%,\u201d explains Professor\u202fAoife\u202fLowery, a Consultant Surgeon at\u202fGalway University Hospital and Professor in the Discipline of Surgery and clinical lead at the clinical research facility at the newly launched <a href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Institute for Clinical Trials at University of Galway<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professor Lowery is heading research \u2014 supported by the Irish Cancer Society Women&#8217;s Health Initiative and the National Breast Cancer Research Institute \u2014 focused on evaluating pathways for identifying, managing and overcoming side effects of cancer therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Improved chances of survival mean patients face challenges, not just of diagnosis and disease, but of the effects of the treatment they go through. \u201cWe are trying to address survivorship issues,\u201d she explains. \u201cThis means understanding the burden of cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. There\u2019s a broad range of issues that patients can face. A lot of them are related to quality of life and the symptoms, side effects and consequences of cancer treatment.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>We involve patients in our research from <br>the beginning, as they are the ones <br>who have experienced cancer.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Addressing issues through multidisciplinary study<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The advantage of the multidisciplinary approach is that people from various disciplines with different perspectives and expertise come together to address a problem. This includes support from dieticians, physiotherapists, translational scientists and bioengineers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor example, thanks to funding from DTIF, I am working with a group of bioengineers and anatomists, scientists and a start-up company developing devices that prevent or reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy. As doctors, we often view these challenges from a treating clinician\u2019s perspective. An engineer may see it totally differently \u2014 bringing those perceptions together is the best way of coming to an innovative solution,\u201d explains Professor Lowery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research is based on the survivors\u2019 experiences. \u201cWe involve patients in our research from the beginning, as they are the ones who have experienced cancer and cancer treatment,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is the best way to ensure we are doing research that is relevant to them. Similarly, there may be issues clinicians see as an unavoidable side effect of effective cancer treatment that can be hugely challenging to patients.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"healt-1455778661\"><div class=\"healt-adlabel\">Advertisements<\/div><div id=\"healt-1203763136\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"UoG2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210311\/UoG2.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210311\/UoG2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210311\/UoG2-768x256.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" width=\"750\" height=\"250\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Improving the care pathway for cancer patients<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The University of Galway Women\u2019s Health Initiative team is leveraging expertise in both cancer care and cardiology to <a href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">develop a care pathway for cancer patients<\/a> who are at increased risk of developing heart disease during cancer treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCardiovascular disease is one of the main killers of women in Ireland,\u201d says Professor Lowery.\u201d We know cancer treatments can have consequences for the heart, so we are developing a specialised care pathway to identify the magnitude of the risk to our female breast cancer patients. This is being done by conducting blood tests, imaging tests and evaluating patients\u2019 quality of life.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-measuring-impact-on-patient-care-and-outcomes\"><strong>Measuring impact on patient care and outcomes<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The research examines the best way to support patients from diagnosis through to survivorship. Professor Lowery concludes: \u201cAt <a href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Galway<\/a>, we recently launched Ireland\u2019s first Institute for Clinical Trials. The ability to deliver clinical trials is already having an impact because patients who are in the trials are benefiting from the interventions. Also, having an active cancer research environment improves care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe need to continue to generate evidence that dedicated multidisciplinary survivorship pathways do improve quality of life. We would then like policymakers to fund this important component of clinical cancer care.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><div style=\"text-align:center\" class=\"wp-block-atomic-blocks-ab-button ab-block-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/stories.universityofgalway.ie\/university-of-galway-to-lead-on-clinical-trials-of-the-future\/index.html\" class=\"ab-button ab-button-shape-rounded ab-button-size-medium fb-pixel\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#a80050\">Click here to learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As cancer patients are often able to live longer with modern interventions, a multidisciplinary team in Galway are addressing survivorship, recovery and treatment to ensure the best possible quality of life. The prognosis for breast cancer patients in Ireland has improved significantly since the introduction of the breast cancer screening programme and improved therapies, including &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/oncology\/multidisciplinary-approach-to-cancer-survivorship-can-help-more-patients\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":9050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2856],"tags":[5816],"class_list":["post-8884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oncology","tag-innovations-in-oncology-q2-2023"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210313\/NUI-GALWAY0751-1-1-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com\/cdn-site.mediaplanet.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/94\/2023\/06\/07210313\/NUI-GALWAY0751-1-1-600x600.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"henryphillips","author_link":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/author\/henryphillips\/"},"vicky_index_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/91"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8884"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8884\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9102,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8884\/revisions\/9102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthnews.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}