Art4Knowledge is a free Art Therapy Workshop Series funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) and facilitated by the UCC Cancer Trials Group (UCCCTG) in collaboration with Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork. It offers an Art Therapy intervention to patients with or beyond a cancer diagnosis, families or close friends of patients with/beyond cancer, and UCCCTG clinical trials teams.

The first annual UCC Cancer Trials Group (UCC CTG) Retreat took place on 25th November. The HRB-supported UCC CTG was established in January 2022 to bring together oncology clinical trials units at Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Waterford and the Bon Secours Cork Cancer Centre, in partnership with the HRB Clinical Research Facility UCC and University College Cork, to provide equitable access to cutting-edge cancer care in the South/Southwest of Ireland, in parallel with innovative cancer research and training opportunities.

The Retreat enabled staff of Cancer Trials Cork and Cancer Trials Waterford to come together in person for brainstorming and discussion, with patients and public attending the afternoon session.

University College Cork and UPMC announce partnership towards the establishment of a collaborative, patient-focused cancer research environment across south of the country.

UCC/UPMC partnership will see two Oncology Professors appointed as part of process to develop internationally-recognised Cancer Research Institute at UCC.

Exciting cancer research that has unlocked why some cancers are drug-resistant has led to a novel chemotherapy treatment incorporating Lithium. The research, which was funded by Breakthrough and led by Dr. Sharon McKenna at UCC, has found that adding lithium to the chemotherapy regime blocks the cancer cells’ ability to repair the internal damage normally inflicted by chemotherapy. This makes the chemotherapy more effective and reduces the risk of the cancer returning again.

UCC Cancer Trials Group has been awarded €2.37m by the Health Research Board (HRB) to fund a collaborative five-year project that will bring together a dedicated team of cancer specialists and research staff from across the south of Ireland and give greater access to clinical trials for patients in the south/southwest. The new cancer trials group will be co-led by Professor Roisin Connolly, the Professor Gerald O'Sullivan Chair in Cancer Research, and Professor Joseph Eustace, Director of the Clinical Research Facility UCC, alongside Site Leads and Principal Investigators from oncology clinical trials units at Cork University Hospital, the Bons Secours Cork and University Hospital Waterford.

Marjorie Brennan speaks with Professor Roisín Connolly and Professor Josephine Hegarty about a new study aiming to improve quality of life for women following treatment for breast and gynaecological cancers.

Dr Dearbhaile Collins is one of two clinicians chosen for the Irish Cancer Society’s 2021 Clinician Research Leadership Award. The aim of this important scheme is to attract and retain world-class cancer research leaders in Ireland who will drive evidence-based improvements in patient care. The current Lung Cancer Lead for Cork University Hospital as well as a member of the National Cancer Control Programme lung cancer leads group and a Senior Clinical Lecturer with University College Cork, Dr Dearbhaile Collins has current research interests across a wide range of areas which she is looking forward to advancing under the award and she intends for her research to have a significant patient impact.

‘Women’s Cancer Survivorship: Supporting and Innovating for Change’ at Cork University Hospital is one of two pilot clinics funded by the Irish Cancer Society as part of the Women’s Health Initiative.