Enhancing Cancer Research in Ireland

UCC to Appoint Experts to Enhance Cancer Research

Professor Roisin Connolly, the Professor Gerald O’Sullivan Chair in Cancer Research at UCC, Mary Hickey, Director of Oncology Services for UPMC in Ireland, Professor Helen Whelton, Head of College of Medicine and Health at UCC, and Michael Fetterolf UPMC Director of International Clinical Operations. (Provision)

University College Cork (UCC) and UPMC have announced a new partnership in cancer research, starting with the appointment of two new Professors of Medical Oncology to UCC - key strategic positions in the pursuit of establishing an internationallyrecognised Cancer Research Institute at the university. The appointment of the two academic oncologists, funded by UPMC, is backed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and will establish the foundation for research collaboration between UCC, the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, Pittsburgh. This international collaboration will be integral to the progression of cancer research across the south of the country and to establish a collaborative research environment, provide greater access to clinical trials for patients, and embed cutting-edge research in clinical care.

The partnership will appoint a steering committee comprised of representatives from UCC, Cork University Hospital (CUH), UPMC, and the University of Pittsburgh to develop a mutual research vision and to progress collaborative cancer research projects. This collaboration with UPMC is result of the ambitious UCC Futures initiative that strives to bring the best and brightest Research Leaders to UCC and develop excellence in collaborative research. These Professorships will be fundamental to obtaining future large scale collaborative funding, receiving regional accreditation from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, and will ultimately lead to innovative scientific breakthroughs in the treatment of cancer.

Welcoming the partnership, Professor Roisin Connolly, the Professor Gerald O’Sullivan Chair in Cancer Research at UCC, said, “Our goal is to improve outcomes for patients through translation of innovative scientific findings to clinical trials and practice, bridging UCC and indeed international science with health care for those at risk of or living with cancer. Recruitment of the best and brightest in cancer research and clinical care to our region will play a pivotal role in the expansion of UCC’s academic efforts in the cancer space. "UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre is recognised internationally for its leadership in translational cancer research, and collaboration between our institutions will be significant in the advancement of cancer research programmes in our region and progressing the College of Medicine and Health’s vision for an Academic Cancer Health System. By working together with local, national and international collaborators, we will bring more and better treatment options to the table for cancer patients in Ireland and further afield.”

New Ipsos survey for IPHA

Two in five people believe the Covid-19 pandemic will never be fully over, according to new research carried out by Ipsos for the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA).

The research, measuring public attitudes to Covid-19 vaccination and to vaccination in general, shows that half of people believe the Covid-19 pandemic will end eventually while 39% believe it will never fully be over. Just 10% believe the pandemic has already ended.

Over four in five people, or 82%, believe vaccines, in general, are effective while 76% of people trust the medical evidence about vaccines. Over half of people could spontaneously name four vaccine-preventable diseases, with Covid-19, measles, mumps and rubella cited most often.

Just under half of people, or 48%, have not received adult vaccinations for diseases other than Covid-19. These diseases could include flu, mumps, rubella, Hepatitis B, whooping cough and pneumococcal disease. The survey finds that 91% of people have been vaccinated for Covid-19, with three in four people having received at least one booster vaccine dose for the disease. One in four people, or 25%, say they are more likely to get vaccinated for other diseases as a result of getting protected against Covid-19. Bernard Mallee, IPHA’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, said, “Covid-19 vaccination has substantially altered the course of the pandemic, saving tens of millions of lives globally. But people are far from putting the pandemic behind them. Epidemiologists say the pattern of recurring waves is likely to persist. Ensuring that we have answers for variants of concern is the work of scientists in our industry. That work is enabled by stable intellectual property rights. “That we have very strong levels of vaccination, including take-up of booster doses, shows that people have confidence in science as the best defence against infection. Vaccination is effective in stopping serious illness and death.

“Encouragingly, a significant majority of people believe that vaccines, in general, are effective. But we would urge greater takeup among adults of vaccines for diseases other than Covid-19 where research shows there is a significant gap in coverage. “Vaccination helps us to stay safe throughout life. It means we don’t have to worry so much about diseases like smallpox, rubella, measles, pneumonia, tuberculosis and polio that used to torment communities across the country.” According to a study, published in The Lancet in June 2022, vaccinations prevented almost 15 million deaths from Covid-19 in 185 countries and territories between December 2020 and December 2021. With the exception of clean, safe drinking water, vaccination is among the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions ever.