Dr Ella Vallely publishes Final Year Project "Sleep hygiene in patients with early-stage breast cancer: a short report"

9 Jan 2026

Congratulations are extended to Dr Ella Vallely a current intern following the publication of their final year project (FYP) “Sleep hygiene in patients with early-stage breast cancer: a short report” in BJC reports. 

The aim of the study was to further explore the interaction between insomnia rates among breast cancer patients. Dr Vallely was part of a research team (Dr Catherine Weadick, Dr Teresa Treacy and Prof Seamus O Reilly) that administered a comprehensive 40-item questionnaire to 315 breast cancer patients in Cork University Hospital. The conclusion from the report was “…. sleep disturbance is prevalent among breast cancer patients. Despite a majority of breast cancer patients recognising the importance of sleep assessment, a significant gap remains in healthcare providers addressing these concerns effectively. (BJC Reports volume 3, Article number: 84 (2025))”

This report was also the basis of an editorial by Dr Dirk Hofmeister which noted that “By focusing on early-stage breast cancer patients in Ireland, this research adds clinically relevant insights into the prevalence of insomnia, associated behavioral risk factors, and the level of clinical attention such issues receive in oncology practice. (BJC Reports volume 3, Article number: 85 (2025))”

The editorial is available here: Insomnia in early-stage breast cancer: time to listen, time to act | BJC Reports

The report is available here: Sleep hygiene in patients with early-stage breast cancer: a short report | BJC Reports