Living Well With Cancer: The Irish Cancer Society Celebrates 50 Years

2013 marks the Irish Cancer Society’s 50^th birthday and to commemorate this, the society organised their 19^th conference ‘Living Well with Cancer’.

The conference which took place from Friday 20^th- Saturday 21^st September at the Aviva Stadium, was based on the after effects of cancer and how to deal with them.

Guests were given a number of forums to choose from and encouraged to pick the topic that suited each individual best.

“Journeying beyond cancer”,“understanding the late effects of cancer treatment” and “spirituality” were just some of the options offered.

A number of guest speakers attended the event including journalist Aine Lawlor who shared her experience of undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Journalist Aine Lawlor who survived breast cancer

Tom Cotter, professor of biochemistry at University College Cork gave a talk about curing cancer and why it's a dream worth fighting for. Doctor Sonya Collier of St. James’s Hospital spoke about cancer fatigue and why it occurs while broadcaster Christy Kenneally’s talk on the importance of communication was very well received.

The conference was superbly organised and had something for everyone. Bowel cancer, breast cancer, haematological cancer and gynaecological cancer were covered in detail. How to tell a child an adult close to them has cancer, sexuality, body image, diet and physical activity were some of the other areas discussed in detail.

Kevin L. Murphy, author of Surviving Cancer after Surviving Cancer, gave a talk on Saturday about the emotional side effects of cancer and how to cope with them. As a result of his wife having suffered cancer, Kevin founded the Phyllis foundation, a non-profit organisation that helps couples and families survive after surviving cancer.

Kevin Murphy who wrote a book aboutthe emotional side of cancer

He advises talking about cancer and discussing feelings with loved ones as a healing mechanism. He maintains that it is important to focus on the three F’s – Faith, Family and Friends. An important point made by Murphy was to talk back to negative feelings instead of letting them overpower you.

Ena Barrett and Kevin Delaney of Relay For Life also spoke at the conference. Relay For Life is a 24-hour walking relay that takes place at various locations worldwide, raising money for the fight against cancer.

It celebrates those who are rebuilding their lives after cancer, remembers those who have passed away from the disease and encourages people to fight back and never give up.

The relay always begins with a cancer survivor’s lap of honour, reminding us that it is possible beat this terrifying disease and to date there are 28 million survivors around the world.

Patricia Ganz, MD of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center USA concentrated on the late effects of cancer treatment.

There is a 66% rate of long term survival from cancer and children are now living for years after being diagnosed with cancer.

At the moment there are 30,000 cases diagnosed each year but the most important weapon we have against this deadly killer is research. The conference reminds us of this and we live in hope that one day it will be eradicated for good.

A special thanks to Cliodhna Donohue who inspired this article. A survivor of cancer, she is living proof that people can and will continue to beat cancer, a word that many of us are afraid to even breathe.