News & Events 2009

SJH Genetic Study on Multiple Myeloma

St James’s Researchers identify genetic changes that increase risk of development of Multiple Myeloma, a common blood cancer in Ireland

A genetic study on Multiple Myeloma has indicated that defects in DNA repair genes may significantly contribute to the development of this life threatening disease. Speaking at the Interlymph Conference in Vancouver, Canada, Prof Mark Lawler, Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, Lead Investigator in the study, outlined how a candidate pathway approach, performed on DNA samples from over 400 patients and controls has identified a number of key genetic variations in genes involved in the DNA repair pathway and linked them to increased risk of development of myeloma. Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a B cell malignancy, which accounts for approximately 1% of cancer deaths worldwide. Ireland has one of the highest incidences of this plasma cell malignancy and clues to how it occurs can help guide optimal diagnosis and the development of new therapeutic approaches. This study, performed in collaboration with Dr Paul Browne, St James’s Hospital, Prof Anthony Staines, Dublin City University, Prof Stephen Chanock, National Cancer Institute, USA and involving investigators in Epilymph, a European collaborative group, has pinpointed subtle changes in a number of genes including XRCC4 and XRCC5 (2 genes involved in DNA repair) and linked this to risk of myeloma development (initially published in Human Molecular Genetics, a premier genetics journal) and highlighted how this may also have relevance in patient response to therapy (recently published in Blood, the leading international haematology journal).

“These results are very promising”, said Prof Lawler, highlighting the role that funding, initially from the Irish Cancer Society and now from the Health Research Board had played in this research. “The study has allowed us to look at a disease that is increasing in incidence in the Irish population and implicate for the first time genetic changes in DNA repair genes in its aetiology” he added. Dr Paul Browne, key collaborator on the study from St James’s Hospital, added that “understanding the potential contribution of DNA damage and repair to the development of myeloma will have important implications in assessing the best use of new treatments for this condition. We are very pleased to be involved in this international project which will hopefully benefit our patients, both in understanding the cause of their disease, and in the study of novel therapies”.

At the conference in Vancouver, it was agreed that the Irish group would lead a collaborative study as part of the International Multiple Myeloma Consortium (IMMC) that would comprehensively delineate the role of DNA repair and DNA damage response genes in myeloma development. Commenting on the results, Prof Stephen Chanock, Chief Laboratory of Translational Genomics, National Cancer Institute, USA and a collaborator on the study, said “We are excited to find that genetic variation in the genes that repair DNA contribute to cancer risk, which gives us new clues to pursue for diagnosis, treatment and ultimately prevention of this type of cancer”. In addition, a collaboration with Dublin City University and a number of international investigators will look at the role that both genetics and environment may play in the aetiology of this disease, particularly given its increased incidence in Ireland. “We have already shown, working with the International Multiple Myeloma Consortium, how people working in certain jobs, notably farmers, printers and cleaners, are at increased risk of myeloma, due to different environmental exposures”, said Prof Anthony Staines, Professor of Health Systems Research at Dublin City University. “This research will help us to understand the crucial gene-gene and gene-environment effects that lead to the development of myeloma”. “The study highlights the role that collaboration between researchers worldwide in different disciplines can play in pinpointing the relevant risk factors for cancer development and emphasises the importance of collaborative groups such as Epilymph, Interlymph and the IMMC”, added Prof Lawler.

Public Symposium on Cancer widely applauded

“The Fight Against Cancer – Where do We Stand?”

For the first time, the annual International Cancer Conference organised a Public Symposium on Cancer, at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, St. James’s Hospital on on Wednesday 13th May 2009 at 5pm. The symposium was entitled, ‘The Fight against Cancer – Where do we Stand?’

The Symposium was chaired well known broadcaster and author Dr. John Bowman and Dr. Muiris Houston of the Irish Times and featured keynote speakers from the US, Ireland and Northern Ireland speaking to different topics that are of interest and concern to members of the public and fielding question on issues as diverse as cancer services, early diagnosis, novel therapies and cancer prevention.

Dr John Bowman, speaking at the Opening of the Public Symposium at Cancer 2009

The Symposium was opened by Mr John Gallagher, City Councillor for the South West Inner City, the constituency in which St James’s Hospital is located and Dr Muiris Houston , The Irish Times.

Commenting on this initiative Dr Muiris Houston said “ it is so important that scientific conferences include a public component. It is great to see the same speakers talk with their medical peers and with a non scientific lay audience.”

Outlining his view of cancer as a journey rather than a battle, Dr Houston said “Cancer in 2009 is often a story with a good ending. It is no longer a death sentence, a word to be spoken in hushed terms, if at all.”

Mr John Gallagher and Dr Muiris Houston address the Public Symposium

Dr Joe Simone, Director, Florida Shands Cancer Centre, USA and a speaker at the Public Symposium, praised the concept for the Public Symposium, saying “It is very important that members of the public are engaged in all aspects of the cancer journey. Providing information on cancer prevention, early diagnosis and cancer risk are key to improving cancer outcomes and empowering the public as advocates for cancer care and cancer research is a positive way of moving forward.

The Symposium started with a look at the science behind cancer, with Prof Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin explaining how genetics has a key role to play, not only in cancer development but also in how we diagnose cancer earlier and develop new therapies for this common disease which is set to overtake heart disease as the leading killer in this country over the next decade.

Attendees at the Public Symposium, The Fight against Cancer, Where do we stand?

In a session entitled Man, Woman, Child; Current perspectives on cancer risk and cancer care, Prof Ralph De Vere White, Director of the Cancer Centre at UC Davis, California, USA outlined how prostate cancer develops, the risk factors, the current and future therapeutic approaches and the case for prostate cancer screening. Prof John Crown, St Vincent’s University Hospital gave an interesting and thought provoking presentation on women’s cancers, focussing particularly on breast, ovarian and cervical cancer, emphasising the importance of cancer clinical trials and the need to roll out screening and vaccination programmes for cervical cancer. Prof Joe Simone, Florida Shands Cancer Centre, USA, highlighted the success story for children’s cancers, particularly leukemia but also emphasised that although nearly 80% of children’s leukemias are cured, we need to push forward in our efforts to cure the other 20%.

Dr Fenton Howell, Director of Population Health , HSE spoke on the importance of recognising the environmental and lifestyle risk factors that predispose to cancer including cigarette smoking, exposure to sun and sunbeds and the increasing risk of cancer linked to obesity. He also championed the cause of cancer prevention. Prof Patrick Johnston, head of the School of Medicine Queens University Belfast, presented his vision of the future of cancer medicine, the vital importance of linking science to medicine, of availining of new technological advances and most of all the need to work in partnership between different disciplines in order to achieve our goal of reducing both cancer incidence and cancer mortality.

The speakers were joined by a panel that included Dr Tony O Brien Director of the National Cancer Control Programme Screening Programme, Prof Owen Smith Paediatric Haematologists, Our Ladys Hospital Crumlin, Mr Thomas Lynch, Consultant Urologist and writer of a regular coloumn on Mens Health in the Irish Times and Ms Kathleen O Meara, head of Advocacy Irish Cancer Society for a lively and informative Questions and Answers Session.

Professor Mark Lawler, conference organiser said “We have decided to extend our conference programme to include direct interaction with the general public – and this is what this symposium is about. Our panel of experts took questions and dealt with cancer related issues, which are of concern to so many people. We aimed provide the latest information on cancer, to include risk, treatment, the future and new therapies. The feedback from those attending this Symposium was very positive – they found it a very helpful and informative event which helped them to understand more about cancer and answered their questions and fears”.

St. James's Hospital Liberties Fun Run

Thursday, July 23rd 2009, 7.45 pm

At the Irish Museum of Modern Art/The Royal Hospital Kilmainham

Edward Fossett would love support for the Fun Run

We are very pleased that the run is fully subscribed!

The first St. James’s Hospital Liberties Fun Run (6.5 K) will take place on July 23rd at 7.45 pm and runners, joggers and walkers are all invited. This Fun Run offers athletes of all levels a new and interesting route around the historic Liberties area of Dublin, and provides an opportunity for supporters of St. James’s to raise much-needed funds for the hospital.

This new summer fixture will start and finish within the beautiful grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham – with the fun in the run provided most generously by the Fossett family whose national circus will be on hand to entertain participants and their supporters before and after – and during (!) – the race.

Entry is limited in this first year to a field of 500 participants. All will be entered into a draw for a signed jersey from Bejing from Irish Olympic boxing team captain and silver medalist, Kenny Egan, and cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third placed men and women. This event is sanctioned by the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI).

The entry fees and sponsorship raised by the Fun Run will support much-needed advancement to the service for stroke patients at St. James’s Hospital.

Contact Us

St. James’s Hospital Foundation
St. James’s Hospital
James’s Street
Dublin 8

Telephone 01 428 4086
Email foundation@stjames.ie

Therapeutics Today

To view the May edition of Therapeutics Today please click here

To view previous Therapeutics Today newsletters, please click here.

Congratulations to all Women's Mini Marathon Participants

Sandra O’Rourke (kneeling, third from right) and friends

The Women’s Mini Marathon took place 0n June 1st 2009 and 340 women took part in the 10k race to raise sponsorship for St. James’s Hospital. A variety of different departments, wards and services are set to benefit from funds raised this year including Breast Care, Oncology, John Houston Ward, Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Rehab and Denis Burkitt Ward.

Supporters arrived in their droves to the Foundation’s post marathon reception at O’Callaghan Stephen’s Green Hotel, where the hotel as always gave a most hospitable welcome and the hospital’s Department of Physiotherapy eased tired muscles with comforting massages. Three lucky attendees were winners of spot prizes - vouchers for running shoes most generously sponsored by Cornmarket Insurance. To view pictures from the event please click here.

The Foundation is most grateful to all generous supporters who participated alone or with groups of friends and congratulates one and all. The Foundation is asking that all mini marathon participants return their sponsorship money to St. James’s Hospital Foundation, St. James’s Hospital, James’s Street, Dublin 8, and that all cheques / postal orders / drafts be made payable to St. James’s Hospital Foundation. For more information please contact Julie Adamson in the Foundation office on the details below.

Contact Us

St. James’s Hospital Foundation
St. James’s Hospital
James’s Street
Dublin 8

Telephone 01 428 4086
Email foundation@stjames.ie

Tracy's Kids Art Exhibition

Compelling International Art Exhibition comes to St James’s Hospital

The Tracy's Kids International Art Exhibition, “The Art of Healing”, a collection of drawings by children with cancer, was opened in St. James’s Hospital on Tuesday 12th May, 2009 by Ms Mary Upton, TD, Labour Spokesperson on the Arts, Sports and Tourism.

Ms Mary Upton, TD, opening “Tracy’s Kids, The Art Of Healing” Exhibition at St James’s Hospital
and Ms Tracy Council, Founder Tracy’s Kids with Ms Mary Upton, TD

Created during 2007 and 2008, in response to the theme “The day I will never forget…” the exhibition is visiting Ireland as part of CANCER 2009 (www.cancerconference.ie). The 207 revealing, thought provoking and informative drawings were produced while the children were patients in Cancer Centres in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Turkey and the United States.

Professor Mark Lawler, whose idea it was to bring the exhibition to Ireland said, “This is the first time that this Exhibition has travelled outside the United States and I think you will agree that we are privileged to have it visit here in Ireland”. The Exhibition is linked to an Art Therapy programme, which has been in operation in the Lombardi Cancer Centre in Georgetown, Maryland since 1992. It is a truly informative experience as it allows the children to communicate critically important messages on their feelings through a medium with which they are comfortable - and these messages inform us in many different ways. “It will bring out all your emotions, he added, but the overlying optimism and hope is what I took most from this exhibition and the important part that art therapy can play in the cancer journey.”

Prof Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital; Dr Maureen O Sullivan, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin;
Ms Tracy Councill, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre, USA; Mr John McCormack, Irish Cancer Society

The Art Therapy Programme and the exhibition aims to use art therapy to help young patients to develop creative communication skills that will help them to be emotionally equipped to fight cancer while they are being treated and also to be psychologically prepared for when they are cancer free.

Tracy Councill, the Art Therapist who has lent her name to this Programme and the exhibition was at the Launch and addressed the Cancer Conference on the topic of Art Therapy. “It is a great pleasure to be here in Ireland with this Exhibition and I hope that it will stimulate you in many ways and perhaps lead to an Irish Section of Tracy’s Kids”, she added.

Prof Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital, Ms Sheila Grace, St James’s Hospital, Ms Tracy Councill, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Georgetown, USA

Commenting on the exhibition, Ms Sheila Grace, Arts Director at St James’s Hospital said “The work is poignant, celebratory and also full of hope. It provides insight into the issues we face, whether as children or adults, when coping with illness. Art has a significant role to play in healthcare, providing access to a part of us unreachable by any other means. Tapping into our own creativity enables the development of a host of skills such as self-awareness and enhanced self-esteem which are often at their weakest during illness.”

I first heard about this amazing exhibition from Dr Joe Harford, Director of International Affairs at the National Cancer Institute, USA, added Prof Lawler. Once Joe told me about it I was hooked on the idea of bringing it to Ireland. And thankfully that idea has come to fruition”.

This is a collaborative initiative between St James’s Hospital and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin. The visit of Tracy’s Kids to Ireland was made possible through the support of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Georgetown, USA, the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda USA, The St James’s Hospital Arts Committee and the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation, Crumlin.

The Exhibition will show initially at St James’s Hospital on the Main Corridor near the Concourse before it moves to Our Lady’s Childrens Hospital later during the summer.

For further details contact Prof Mark Lawler mplawler@tcd.ie or Ms Sheila Grace sgrace@stjames.ie or go to www.cancerconference.ie

Cancer Conference a resounding success

Cancer 2009, the International Cancer Conference took place in the Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin from 13th – 15th May 2009. Opening the Conference, Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, T.D. emphasised the importance of the Cancer Control Programme and encouraged greater integration and more co-ordination of services. Minister Harney also said “We must be more pro-active in the area of screening for cancer, particularly in regard to colorectal screening.”

Prof Mark Lawler, Chairperson Cancer 2009, Ms Mary Harney T.D Minister for Health and Children and Mr Ian Carter, CEO St James’s Hospital at the Opening of Cancer 2009

Professor Tom Keane, Interim Director of the National Cancer Control Programme stressed that “One of the key priorities of cancer control is the creation of new knowledge and the subsequent transfer of this knowledge from the laboratories to the bedside. In order for this transfer to be most effective, we need to adopt best practice and we need an integrated system driven by best practice at primary care level. This will allow the facilitation of early diagnosis for the major cancers through availability of rapid access clinics.”

Mary Harney TD Minister for Health and Children and Prof Tom Keane, Interim Director National Cancer Control Programme address the conference

Over 270 delegates registered for the Conference and heard from opinion leaders on areas as diverse as cancer strategy, cancer biology, health economics, cancer biology, translational medicine, risk factors for cancer, molecular medicine, radiotherapy, clinical trials, molecular imaging and cancer nursing.

Prof Mark Lawler, Chairperson CANCER 2009, Dr John Kennedy, Consultant Oncologists, St James’s Hospital; Ms Mary Harney T.D Minister for Health and Children Prof Ken O Byrne Consultant Oncologists, St James’s Hospital; Prof John Reynolds Professor of Surgery St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin and Regional Director, Cancer Services

Speaking at the conference Professor Ralph DeVere White of the UC Davis Cancer Centre in the US said, ‘Cancer care services can no longer be delivered effectively by any one specialist because it’s too complicated and it’s too expensive. The full range of services from prevention, diagnosis right through to end of life issues must all be managed in a coordinated team science fashion. This is best achieved when we have well established centres with resources and these centres ultimately must have a line of access out to the general public. He said “it’s only when we have effective coordinated interaction between individuals of different scientific persuasions that new ideas emerge. And in this respect I believe the establishment of eight centres in Ireland can be very effective.

Dr Paul Browne, Chairperson All Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group emphasises the importance of Cancer Clinical trials
and Prof Ralph DeVere White, UC Davis, California addresses Cancer 2009

Professor Jane Wardle of University College London, reviewed the evidence linking obesity and cancer and concluded that there can no longer be any doubt that excess body weight increases cancer risk. “With high and rising rates of obesity in Ireland, as in the rest of the world, cancer rates are likely to rise. Many public health organisations are looking for lessons learned from tackling smoking”. Professor Wardle argued that “the similarities between the two indicate that strategies such as public education, health professional endorsement, and environmental modifications to make healthy choices easier, will be needed to turn the tide of obesity”. “Support from the Irish Cancer Society and the cancer community to tackle this preventable cause of cancer will be critical to the success of the campaign” she said.

Prof Aziza Shad, Lombardi Cancer Centre Washington, USA speaking on childhood cancer
and Prof Pierre Chambon, delivering the Eurolife Distinguished Lecture at Cancer 2009

Addressing the cost of cancer treatment at the conference, Professor David Khayat from the French National Cancer Institute, said, “There are many inequalities in cancer, inequality of risk, of access to diagnosis, of access to care of quality care, and finally a final outcome which is chance of death. The experience in France has shown that there is a one to six times difference in cancer mortality according to where you live in the French territory. Among the issues, access to innovative drugs is critically important. When we look at the cost of cancer drugs, it is only 19% of the total costs which is again in the average of the cost of drugs used for any other major disease. A recent study by the Stockholm School of Economics have demonstrated that the uptake of these new drugs are responsible for the greatest improvement in survival for cancer patients in all developed countries, underlying again the fact that these drugs are very useful. Finally, innovative drugs spend is only 0.5% of the total expenditure on a disease, cancer, that represents 30% of deaths, 40% of premature deaths in France and these drugs are having a significant effect on reducing the mortality and morbidity of this disease.”

CANCER 2009

This year we celebrate our 7th anniversary and have assembled a high quality programme with international renowned leaders. The conference team is enhancing cancer cure through patient focused healthcare and research. Cancer 2009 will address key issues in cancer strategy, cancer care and cancer research, placing the patient at the centre of the focus interdisciplinary approach aimed at improving cancer outcome. Cancer 2009 will be opened on Thursday 14th May at 9.30am by Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, TD and Professor Tom Keane, interim director of the National Cancer Control Programme. Please click here for further information

Introduction to Palliative Care for Registered Nurses

(4-Day Duration)

An Bord Altranais Category 1 Approved

Dates: May 12th 2009 (Tue), May 13th 2009 (Wed), May 14th 2009 (Thu), May 15th 2009 (Fri)

Venue: Centre for Learning & Development, Trinity Health Sciences Centre, St. James’s Hospital

Fee: Free to St. James’s Hospital Staff Study Leave: Negotiated with Manager

Entry Criteria:
An Board Altranais Registration.
One Year Post-registration experience.
Only one/two member(s) of staff from each unit/ward will be offered a place on the course at any one time.
Those who have not completed a Palliative Care Course previously.
NB. Applicants must be available for the 4 days of the course.
A limited number of places are available

Application forms available from and to be returned to cld@stjames.ie and is also available below

The Secretary, Centre for Learning and Development, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8

Information from: Aghmat Mohamed, Ext 4903/2201, Educational Facilitator, Centre for Learning and Development, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8

Closing Date: Friday 1st May 2009

Introduction to Palliative Care (PDF 18Kb)

Application Form - Palliative Care (PDF 20Kb)

SJH Researchers win main prizes

Presentations from 2 researchers based at the Institute of Molecular Medici St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin took the main prizes at the recent 4th All Ireland Cancer Conference, which took place from Nov 30th to December 3rd in the 4 Seasons Hotel Dublin and was attended by over 400 national and international researchers, cancer care providers and cancer policy makers. An international judging panel selected the 2 TCD/SJH presentations along with presentations from Belfast City Hospital and New York University as the 4 prize winners at the Conference.

Dr Prerna Tewari, a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the laboratory of Prof Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin presented her work highlighting the role of DNA repair genes in the development of Multiple Myeloma , a common B cell malignancy. This project, involving a collaboration between Prof Lawler and Dr Paul Browne in the Department of Haematology, TCD, together with Prof Anthony Staines, Dublin City University and Dr Steven Chanock, National Cancer Institute, Washington USA and in collaboration with Epilymph, a European epidemiological study of lymphoproliferative disorders, identified for the first time, a potential role for a number of genetic variants in specific DNA repair genes in the aetiology of this haematological malignancy.

Dr Martin Barr, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the laboratory of Prof Ken O Byrne, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin also won a prize for his work on the regulation of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its receptor in non small cell lung cancer. He identified the importance of epigenetic regulation of VEGF receptor in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLCs) cell lines, pinpointing a role for neuropilin-1(NP1) as a critical survival factor in NSCLC cells. This may allow future targeting of NP1 in lung cancer cells.

The success of these two researchers highlights the quality of cancer research being performed on the St James’s Hospital campus.

Women’s Mini Marathon 2009

Join our team: (l – r) Liz, Rachel, Ita, Vicky, Rynagh and Tara

The 2009 Women’s Mini Marathon will take place on bank holiday Monday, June 1st. St. James’s Hospital Foundation, like the 40,000 women who will take part again this year, is looking forward to another fun-filled day when we hope much-needed funds will be raised for St. James’s Hospital.

In 2008, St. James’s benefited from nearly €30,000 raised in Mini Marathon sponsorship. €9,500 was raised for the general benefit of the hospital with the remainder given for a variety of different departments, wards and services including Abraham Colles Ward, the Acute Medical Admissions Unit, the Breast Care Department, the Burns Unit, Cancer Research, the COPD service, Denis Burkitt Ward, the Intensive Care Unit and the Oncology Unit.

St. James’s Hospital Foundation is hoping to repeat this outstanding effort once again this coming June and would be grateful to hear from anyone thinking of taking part. We are delighted to have the support of O’Callaghan Stephen’s Green Hotel, who will once again this year provide a post-marathon reception. Cornmarket Insurance have kindly donated spot prizes for the event and the hospital’s Department of Physiotherapy will be on hand once again to give post-race massages.

The Dublin Women’s Mini Marathon is a 10k race and the biggest all women’s event of its kind in the world. Since its beginnings in 1983 it has been estimated that over €100m has been raised in charity sponsorship in connection with the event.

For more information and to receive a sponsorship card or t-shirt, please contact Julie or Edwina in the Foundation office on 01 428 4086 or email jadamson@stjames.ie.

Cancer 2009

Following the successful introduction of Poster Sessions at Cancer 2008, we are now issuing a Call for Abstracts for Cancer 2009, which will take place in Dublin from 13th - 15th May 2009.

A highly impressive array of speakers has been assembled for this meeting, building on the success of previous years. Poster Abstracts can be submitted in 4 Categories, reflecting the themes of the Conference. You are invited to submit an abstract relevant to the themes of the conference for presentation in poster format. The Categories are:

Cancer Biology
Translational and Clinical Medicine
Nursing Research and Nursing Care
Cancer Prevention and Population Health

There will be an exhibition of posters at the conference and the abstracts of accepted posters will be published in the Conference Programme. An International Panel will judge posters during the conference and a number of prizes will be presented. Posters submitted should be based upon original and/or ongoing research. Abstracts should be submitted electronically, by 20th March 2009 to fhoolahan@stjames.ie. Receipt of all abstracts will be acknowledged electronically. You will be informed shortly after this date if your poster has been accepted for presentation. The Decision of the Abstract Judging Panel is Final.

Abstracts must be submitted electronically. They should be in the following format:

Title in block capitals
Author(s) and principal affiliations, with the presenting author named first
Abstract text, of not more than 250 words.
This should comprise an Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusion. Abstracts should reflect original work and provide meaningful data to be assessed by the Abstract Selection Committee. Phrases like "Results will be presented at the Conference" make it difficult for adequate judging of the abstracts and could lead to an abstract being rejected
A list of references is optional (no more than 3 )
All Abstracts should be submitted in Word Format and text should be in Times New Roman Font 12
Indicate your preference for Abstract Category
Please name your Word file in the following format with the last name and first initial of the first author eg Hoolahan F et al Cancer 2009.doc. If you are submitting more than one abstract with the same first author, please number appropriately eg Hoolahan F 1 et al, Hoolahan F et al 2 etc

Cancer 2009 Draft (PDF 181Kb)

Cancer 2009 Abstract Form (Word document 32Kb)

St Luke’s Young Investigator Award

Dr Laure Marignol, a Lecturer in the School of Radiation Therapy who is a researcher in the laboratories of Prof Mark Lawler and Prof Donal Hollywood, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin was awarded the St Luke’s Young Investigator Award for her work on the role of hypoxia in prostate cancer. The St Luke’s Young Investigator Award, presented in association with the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, is given on annual basis to the best abstract submitted and presentation given by a young researcher in the field of cancer research. It is an excellent initiative by St Luke’s Hospital to encourage the young and burgeoning scientific community of cancer researchers on the island of Ireland.

Dr Marignol’s talk was entitled “Hypoxia in Prostate Tumours, Detection, Consequences and Clinical Exploitation” . In her presentation, she described how understanding the way in which cancer cells behave in conditions of low oxygen (which is what happens to cancer cells in the body) can allow us to identify new markers of malignant disease and disease recurrence. It also permits the rational development of novel approaches that exploit hypoxia as a therapeutic target in this disease. Welcoming the award, Prof Donal Hollywood, Marie Curie Chair of Clinical Oncology at TCD and one of the lead investigators in the research said “ In prostate cancer there is a growing need for new approaches to identify novel markers of disease and new therapeutic targets. Dr Marignol’s work has highlighted how our understanding of how prostate cancer cells function in conditions of low oxygen can pinpoint potential targets to exploit for diagnosis or therapy”.

The incidence of prostate cancer is rising in Ireland and evaluating the biology of the disease to identify novel disease markers and therapeutic targets will provide us with the tools we require to combat this common malignancy. Dr Marignol is part of the Prostate Cancer Research Consortium, a multidisciplinary, inter-institutional research partnership whose stated mission is to develop new and innovative approaches to cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Prof Mark Lawler, Co-Lead PI of the Prostate Cancer Research Consortium said “This award to Dr Marignol highlights how nurturing young researchers can allow them to make significant contributions to research in Ireland. It also demonstrates how investment in research by organisations such as the Irish Cancer Society, who funded much of this research, can have benefits in relation not only to advancing research knowledge but also helping to produce excellent young scientists like Dr Marignol”. The enclosed picture shows Dr Marignol receiving her award from Dr Fenton Howell, President of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland

Annual GP Study Day

Trinity Centre for Health Sciences
St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8

12.00 pm – 1.00 pm Lunch – William Stokes Post Graduate Centre

1.00 pm – 2.00 pm Registration – Trinity Centre for Health Sciences

2.00 pm – 3.00 pm: Symposium

What’s New –

PET Scanning – What’s it all about?
Dr Ronan McDermott, Consultant Radiologist

Drug Interactions – What you need to know, and How to find out!
Dr Mary Teeling, Medical Director, National Medicines Information Centre

One-Stop Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer
Dr Finbarr O’Connell, Consultant Respiratory Physician

3.00 pm – 3.15 pm Pharmaceutical Display/Coffee Break

3.15 pm – 5.00 pm: Workshops

How to Manage –

Common Genito-Urinary Problems
Dr Fiona Lyons, Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine

COPD
Dr Rory O’Donnell, Consultant Respiratory Physician

Immunology Results
Prof Con Feighery, Consultant Immunologist

Delegates may attend two of the three workshops and may advise their choice of workshops when registering, or simply choose on the day.

To register please contact –
Emma Mc Cabe, Administrator, William Stokes Postgraduate Centre, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8
Phone/Fax: 01-4541923, e-mail: postgrad@stjames.ie, or register on the day

GP Study Day Registration Form (PDF 15Kb)

Care of the Older Person Nursing Conference

19th February 2009 – 8.30am to 4pm

Venue: The Robert Smith Lecture Theatre, Trinity Centre, St James’s Hospital, Dublin

€25 for St James’s staff, €50 for non staff, Lunch Provided

An bord Altranais Category 1 Approved

Confirmed Speakers From

TILDA(the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing)
Dr Hilary Cronin, Research Fellow

TRIL (Technology Research for Independent Living)
Doctor Roman Romero-Ortuno, Clodagh Cunningham, RGN,

Mild Cognitive Impairment Study
Sheila Dillon, RGN, Nursing Assessment

MIRA (Mercer’s Institute for Research on Ageing)
Irene Bruce, RGN, Memory Assessment Clinic

MIRA - Falls Prevention and Bone Health Clinic
Dr Joe Browne
Niamh Maher, RGN, Nessa Fallon, RGN, Georgina Steen, RGN

Falls Prevention and Blackout Clinic
Dymphna Hade, RGN, Nursing Assessment

Stroke Intervention and Assessment
Suzanne Walsh, RGN, Nursing Assessment

Cancer Genomics Masterclass

Postgraduate student on HRB PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine wins top prize at Cancer Genomics MasterClass.

As part of the Dublin Region Higher Education Alliance, Trinity College Dublin and St James’s Hospital hosted a Cancer Genomics MasterClass on Thursday 4th December 2008 at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's Hospital and TCD. Over 70 delegates attended from different institutions on the island of Ireland to hear the latest developments in this fast moving area from a faculty of acknowledged experts in the field.

The MasterClass series, an innovative doctoral education programme involving Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, National College of Ireland Maynooth, Dublin Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tallaght was formally launched by the Prof Carol O Sullivan, Dean of Graduate Studies at Trinity College Dublin. She outlined how the Dublin Region Higher Education Alliance (DRHEA) through the 2nd Strand of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is striving to provide quality postgraduate education to PhD students in Ireland, adding that this MasterClass represents an innovative way of exposing Irish Scientists to high quality research and also provides a way for their own research to be critiqued by an international faculty.

Prof Mark Lawler, Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin welcomed the assembled delegates to the MasterClass and looked forward to a stimulating day of science and discussion in this important area. Introducing the topic of the MasterClass, he emphasized how understanding the genomic architecture of cancers has allowed us to make significant advances, both in our understanding of this common live threatening disease and also in translating these results for clinical benefit. “A high quality programme of international speakers with significant representation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Washington will provide a MasterClass on the latest developments in Cancer Genomics. Currently there has been an explosion in our knowledge of new genetic loci that predispose to different types of cancer, with almost 50 new genetic susceptibilities reported in the premier international journals. This represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the causes of cancer”. This MasterClass represented an excellent opportunity to hear the latest advances in this rapidly growing area from acknowledged international experts in the field, it provided an opportunity for postgraduate and postdoctoral students to meet with these experts in a workshop setting and it had the added advantage of expert critique of their work and advice from the distinguished faculty that was assembled for the MasterClass. In addition, this MasterClass discussed some of the technological approaches that are relevant across the disease spectrum where there is a genetic component.

As part of the MasterClass, a number of abstracts were selected from those submitted and the selected attendees gave short oral presentations, highlighting their work in areas as diverse as identifying genetic susceptibility to multiple myeloma, a common B cell malignancy; developing new technical approaches to detect genetic changes in cancer cells; developing a molecular algorithm for cervical cancer; studying the genetics of inherited colon cancer. The presentations were judged by an international panel, who commented on the high quality of the presentations. The winning presentation was given by Ms Therese Murphy, a PhD scholar on the HRB PhD in Molecular Medicine Graduate Programme, working in Prof Mark Lawler’s laboratory in the Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin. She spoke on the identification of novel epigenetically modified genes controlling cell death in prostate cancer cells where she has identified a number of genes epigenetically regulated in prostate cancer which have not been previously described. The students at the meeting benefitted enormously from interacting with the assembled Faculty and the quality of the presentations and the discussions were superb. (included is a picture of Steven Chanock, chair of the judging committee, presenting the prize to Therese Murphy. Also included is a photo taken of some of the faculty (L-R Richard Hayes, Bob Hoover, Mark Lawler, Steve Chanock)

The audience heard from a panel of international experts in the field (see Faculty below) who outlined the huge strides that have been made in our undersytanding of the genomics of cancer and its relevance to risk suceptibility to cancer. Dr Stephen Chanock explained how the technology of genome wide association studies (GWAS), which involves searching through the entire genome for genetic markers potentially linked to susceptibility to develop cancer, had placed genetics at the centre of a new revolution in our understanding of human disease. The landscape of human genetics has changed remarkably in a relatively short space of time. This has led to the discovery of more than 150 novel susceptibility loci across a broad spectrum of diseases, a few in genes with high biological plausibility but the majority in others that had not been considered candidates. “There have been few, if any, similar bursts of activity in the history of medical research”, he said. In cancer, this approach involving GWAS has led to the discovery of over 50 susceptibility regions (termed loci) for many of the major malignancies (breast, prostate, colorectal, lung, melanoma, leukemia) that affect our population, allowing us to re-evaluate the contribution of genomic variation to disease susceptibility in malignancy. Dr Chanock outlined how applying this approach to prostate cancer has led to the discovery of links between 16 different genes and the development of prostate cancer. While it may be too early for these discoveries to have a role in cancer care, the potential for genetic susceptibility to help in defining cancer risk and identifying high risk groups who may benefit from cancer prevention and early detection strategies should not be underestimated.
Dr Doug Easton spoke of how a person's genes play an important role in determining how likely they are to develop cancer. Scientists have been trying to understand exactly which genes are involved, and how much of an effect they have on a person's risk. In the 1990s, Professor Easton’s team helped track down two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which strongly influence breast cancer risk. “We suspect that there are many more breast cancer genes, each with a much weaker effect. A woman would need to inherit several of these ‘low-risk’ genes to significantly increase her lifetime risk of breast cancer” he said. This has led to the identification of 5 new genes that may influence breast cancer risk. These ground-breaking studies has already yielded promising results, published recently in high quality journals including Nature, New England Journal of Medicine and Nature Genetics. The team hope to uncover other genes, as well as lifestyle and environmental factors, that affect their likelihood of developing breast cancer. A further 3 genetic loci have been identified by other large collaborative studies. Identification of genetic susceptibility loci in breast cancer should be a useful tool for doctors in the future to identify individuals at increased risk and help them, by referring them for counseling and regular screening if appropriate, and by providing advice about ways to lower their risk.

Dr Robert Hoover outlined how our epidemiological approach to cancer has changed over the last 30 years. Historically, epidemiologists have been viewed as medical detectives, single-handedly, or in very small teams, interviewing, examining, analyzing samples and discovering causes of diseases and outbreaks. Indeed, variations on this theme have been quite productive. However, as the etiologic questions and opportunities have changed over time, so have the scientific requirements to address these questions and to take advantage of the opportunities. The result has been an evolution of portions of the discipline to the big science paradigms similar to what happened years ago in physics, astronomy and other branches of science (very large studies, large multidisciplinary study teams, big budgets, driven by cutting-edge technologies). “ Whereas classical epidemiology “snuck up” on us, molecular epidemiology is very much “in your face”” he said. Much of the remarkable advances being described in this MasterClass, with the identification of genetic susceptibility loci for many of the main cancers, are directly attributable to this evolution. Big Epidemiology is driven by science and is absolutely important in addressing the important questions and opportunities that arise as we dissect the genetic susceptibility to cancer.

The particular focus of Dr Richard Hayes’s presentation was on learning about genetic determinants of adenoma, because understanding the genetic risks for these premalignant tumors could be important for prevention of colorectal cancer at its earliest stages of development. To date, approximately 10 chromosomal regions have been identified as leading to increased risk of developing colon cancer, based on GWAS studies of colon cancer and matched normal samples. However Dr Hayes group have shown that looking at premalignant colonic adenomas may provide important evidence as to how colon cancer develops and their group have identified a region on chromosome 8 that predisposes to adenoma development. Other studies have highlighted at least 4 more loci that show increased risk for colorectal adenoma development, thus highlighting the role that genetic susceptibility may play in this important premalignant lesion.

Dr Giles Thomas highlighted how GWAS have emerged as an effective approach to identify common polymorphisms underlying complex traits. The presence of population stratification, i.e. allele frequency differences between cases and controls due to systematic ancestry differences, can lead to greater than errors in calculating true susceptibility risk. Dr Thomas reviewed the methods that are available to detect population stratification in GWAS and strategies that can be used to reduce the induced error. He also demonstrated the power of the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) project in determining new genetic risk factors for common cancers, linking with some of the previous presentations on this area

In bringing the various strands of the MasterClass together, Dr Paul Pharoah emphasised how genome-wide association studies have identified multiple susceptibility loci for several common cancers. The effects of these loci are small and their clinical utility has been questioned. However, in combination, the effects conferred may be much larger and polygenic tests may be more useful in the clinical setting. Dr Pharoah highlighted how polygenic susceptibility to breast cancer could be used to identify women at increased risk of breast cancer and to target preventive interventions, such as X-ray mammography, to those women at greatest risk. The concept of targeted prevention now has potential to become a reality

In summary, it was a very interesting and thought provoking day and the attendees all agreed that the quality of the presentations was superb and the opportunity to interact with the acknowledged leaders in the field was one not to be missed

Cancer Genomics Faculty:

Stephen Chanock is Chief of the Laboratory of Translational Genomics at the National Cancer Institute, USA. He is Director of the NCI Core Genotyping Facility and Co-Leader of the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) project, an NCI enterprise initiative to conduct whole genome association studies to identify genes giving rise to risk of prostate and breast cancer.

Doug Easton is a Cancer Research UK Principal Research Fellow and Director of the Cancer Research UK Genetic Epidemiology Unit at the University of CambridgeCambridge. He is world-renowned for his research into genes that affect our risk of common cancers, particularly breast cancer. His team also works on ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma.

Robert Hoover is Director of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Programme of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the NCI, establishing ongoing programs of research in various areas of cancer epidemiology. A special focus of his work has been in the area of hormonal carcinogenesis. Dr. Hoover is widely recognized as one of the USA's leading cancer epidemiologists.

Richard Hayes is a Senior Investigator at the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the NCI and has a particular interest in the genetics of prostate cancer and the genetics of colorectal cancer. He has published widely in such premier journals as Science, Nature Genetics, Cancer Research, Journal National Cancer Institute, Carcinogenesis, American Journal of Epidemiology.

Gilles Thomas is a Co-Leader of the the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility (CGEMS) project . The CGEMs project is designed to capitalize on new knowledge of human genetic variation and technical advances in ultra-high-throughput genotyping. CGEMS is designed to conduct whole genome scans in nested case-control studies of prostate cancer and breast cancer from large ongoing population-based cohort studies.

Paul Pharoah is a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge. His primary areas of interest are in the architecture of genetic susceptibility to common cancers (primarily breast, ovarian and colorectal). He is also interested in understanding how germline genetic variation influences disease heterogeneity and heterogeneity in the clinical outcomes of cancer.

Eurolife Distinguished Faculty lecture

Father of Molecular Biology delivers Eurolife Distinguished Faculty Lecture at 7th International Cancer Conference in St James’s / TCD

The father of modern molecular biology, Pierre Chambon, Emeritus Professor at the Faculté de Médecine of the Strasbourg University, delivered the prestigious EuroLife Distinguished Faculty Lecture at Cancer 2009, the 7th International Cancer Conference (www.cancerconference.ie). Eurolife is a network of 7 Leading European Medical Schools, currently chaired by Trinity College Dublin, which aims to perform joint research of the highest academic calibre while promoting joint postgraduate training at the European level. The Eurolife Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series (EDFLS) is a TCD driven initiative, where an eminent scientist from one of the Eurolife Institutions delivers a state of the art lecture at one of the partner Institutions and engages both with faculty staff and Principal Investigators, while also meeting postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. "The EDFLS represents a unique opportunity to listen to and engage with an international leader in science and medicine," said Prof Dermot Kelleher, Head of the School of Medicine and current Chairperson of Eurolife.

Prof Mark Lawler, Chairperson Cancer 2009; Prof Dermot Kelleher, Head of School of Medicine, TCD and Chairperson Eurolife Steering Committee, Prof Pierre Chambon, Eurolife Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, Prof Frank Gannon, Director General Science Foundation Ireland; Dr Ross McManus, Eurolife Steering Committee

"This event represented a unique opportunity to hear one of the foremost scientists of his generation, reflecting on a career of unsurpassed excellence, in which he contributed significantly to some of the main discoveries in gene expression and transcriptional control, which inform our understanding of the molecular biology of the cell and the development of human disease, added Prof Frank Gannon, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). Prof Gannon worked in the laboratory of Prof Chambon during the 1970's and has a unique insight on this extraordinary scientist. "This was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity, a significant occasion to mark the important contribution of Pierre Chambon to modern science and medicine", added Prof Mark Lawler, Chairperson of CANCER 2009.

Prof Frank Gannon introduces the Eurolife Distinguished Lecturer, reflecting on his unique talents, to the obvious amusement of Prof Chambon

Prof Chambon has made seminal discoveries in our understanding of how genes work, painstakingly identifying the key events that control how and when genes are switched on/turned off. His were the key discoveries in relation to nuclear receptors, molecules which are one of the key perpetrators of cancer when they are damaged.

Prof Chambon delivers the Eurolife Distinguished Faculty Lecture “How I moved nuclear receptors in the malignant field”.

In his lecture, Professor Chambon outlined powerful new model systems that he has developed, which have helped us to gain new insights into the biology of a number of malignancies including prostate and skin cancer. In addition, in an informal session with postgrads from PhD programmes in Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork, he enthralled the students with a history of how molecular biology developed, outlining the significant role he played in linking science and biology to medicine. ‘Pierre outlined the history of the last 50 years of molecular biology and the momentous discoveries that he has made. The enthusiasm that he generated in the listening students was a magic moment,’ said Professor Mark Lawler, Chairperson of Cancer 2009.

Therapeutics Today for July

The July edition of Therapeutics Today newsletter published by the National Medicines Information Centre is now available online. In this months newsletter you will find information about Tools to aid prescribing in the elderly, Individualise statin therapy in elderly patients with CHD, the roles of aldosterone in resistant hypertension & the metabolic syndrome.

View the July edition of Therapeutics Today newsletter

To view previous Therapeutics Today newsletters, please Click here.

Intravenous Cannulation Course

Please click below to view details of the IV Cannulation Course for Radiographers taking place in September 2009.

IV Cannulation Course for Radiographers (PDF 127Kb)

All winners at the Fun Run

The first St James's Hospital Fun Run took place on the evening of Thursday July 23rd and the hospital is most grateful to all who contributed to its success. Click here to view the story and pictures.

Therapeutics Today Newsletter

The August edition of the Therapeutics Today Newsletter includes information on short versus long-term androgen suppression therapy in prostate cancer, the best treatment for Bell’s Palsy?, British guideline on asthma updated, and Management of Hepatitis C. Please click here to view.

Croí Na Tire

St. James’s Hospital is in the process of taking part in a national programme to establish a volunteer network called “Croí na Tíre” that will be piloted in the MedEL Directorate. The purpose of this initiative is to allow volunteers to provide support and contribute to improving the well being of patients. This initiative has been progressed via the Partnership Committee and is fully supported by the Trade Unions.

Volunteer Application Form (PDF 123Kb)

NMIC Bulletin

The latest Bulletin published by the NMIC on Generic Prescibing is now available. Please click here to view.

Stroke Information Session

When?
Tuesday 22nd September, 6.00 – 8.00pm

Where?
D.I.D Seminar Room (The room is on the ground floor near main concourse)

What’s it about?
It’s an informal talk about how health professionals contribute towards the care of patients who have suffered a stroke, and how we can help in maximising quality of life.

Who will be speaking?
There will be a brief Medical introduction by Stroke Consultant Dr. Harbison. Subsequently, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language Therapist, Social Worker and Dietician will discuss their roles in caring for patients with stroke. A past patient will also be there to share experiences. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and written information will be available.

Who is invited to attend?
Anyone who has been affected by stroke is welcome. There is no need to book places, just turn up on the day!

For more information contact:
Helen Flynn (Physiotherapist), Tel: 416 2503

Therapeutics Today Newsletter September

The September edition of the Therapeutics Today Newsletter includes information on H1N1 (Swine Flu), Thiazolidinediones and risk of fracture, and a drug safety update regarding coloured medication and the colour blind. Please click here to view.

Therapeutics Today Newsletter

The October edition of the Therapeutics Today Newsletter includes information on oral contraceptives and venous thromboembolism, Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Prescribing Initiative, Cytokines, and Bisphosphy Jaw. Please click here to view.

International Art Exhibition

Compelling International Art Exhibition comes to St James’s Hospital

The Tracy's Kids International Art Exhibition, “The Art of Healing”, a collection of drawings by children with cancer, which opened in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland by Ms Mary Upton, TD, Member of the Irish Parliament and Labour Party Spokesperson on the Arts, Sports and Tourism, received significant attention in the media in Ireland and abroad.

Ms Mary Upton, TD, Member of the Irish Parliament opening "Tracy’s Kids, The Art Of Healing” International Art Exhibition at St James’s Hospital
and Ms Tracy Council, Founder Tracy’s Kids with Ms Mary Upton, TD

Created during 2007 and 2008, in response to the theme “The day I will never forget…” the exhibition is visiting Ireland as part of CANCER 2009, the International Cancer Conference (www.cancerconference.ie) which is supported by the National Cancer Institute's Office of International Affairs. The 207 revealing, thought provoking and informative drawings were produced while the children were patients in Cancer Centres in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Turkey and the United States.

Professor Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital and Trinity College Dublin, whose idea it was to bring the exhibition to Ireland said, “This is the first time that this exhibition has been seen outside the USA since its launch last year”. Prof Lawler is Chair of the Scholar Exchange Group of the Ireland-Northern Ireland -National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium. “This unique event represented an innovative approach by the Consortium to promoting Art Therapy as part of the Cancer journey”, added Dr Joe Harford, Director of International Affairs at the NCI and Chair of the Ireland-Northern Ireland -National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium.

The Exhibition is linked to an Art Therapy programme, which has been in operation in the Lombardi Cancer Centre in Georgetown, Maryland, USA since 1992. It is a truly informative experience as it allows the children to communicate critically important messages on their feelings through a medium with which they are comfortable - and these messages inform us in many different ways. “It challenges all of your emotions, added Prof Lawler, but the resounding message is one of hope and looking to the future”

The Lombardi Cancer Centre Art Therapy Programme and the Exhibition aim to use art therapy to help young patients to develop creative communication skills that will help them to be emotionally equipped to fight cancer while they are being treated and also to be psychologically prepared for when they are cancer free.

Tracy Councill, the Art Therapist who has founded and lent her name to this Programme and the Exhibition spoke at the Launch and subsequently addressed the Cancer Conference on the topic of Art Therapy. “It is a great pleasure to be here in Ireland with this Exhibition and I hope that it will stimulate you in many ways and perhaps lead to an Irish Section of Tracy’s Kids International Art Exhibition ”, she added.

Prof Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Dr Maureen O Sullivan, OLCHC, Ireland;
Ms Tracy Councill, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre, USA; Mr John McCormack, Irish Cancer Society

Professor Aziza Shad, Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, who was a keynote speaker at the Conference, emphasized the importance of Art Therapy in the care of children with cancer. “It is the vehicle through which children undergoing treatment express their fears, thoughts, dreams and wishes. It was very interesting to see the differences and similarities in the paintings from the diverse countries participating in this unique initiative."

Prof Mark Lawler, St James’s Hospital, Ms Sheila Grace, St James’s Hospital, Ms Tracy Councill, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Georgetown, USA

The Artworks were exhibited along one of the main hospital streets(corridors) where they have been seen by many hundreds of staff, patients, visitors etc and even whilst they were being hung, it was clear that there was an unprecedented interest in this unique project. People were struck most forcibly by the fact that the works were by children endeavouring to live life, although coping with cancer. They spent time reading the accompanying text expressing the individual children’s thoughts and feelings. When a particular image or even a detail of an image, had a special resonance for them, they were quick to point it out. The paintings also engaged Hospital staff who, whilst empathising with the plight of the participants, commented on the often upbeat and emotionally mature commentaries by the children. Tracy’s Kids International Art Exhibition was quite different from any exhibition previously shown in the Hospital and this was apparent in the reflective responses elicited from a broad spectrum of viewers. A number of staff members expressed regret at the finishing of the Exhibition and said how moved they had been by the paintings; each time they viewed them, often only in passing in the course of their work, they saw something new.

The Exhibition then moved to Our Lady’s Childrens’ Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC), Dublin, Ireland where it also received an extremely positive response. Referring to the exhibition and the effect it had on patients, parents and staff at the OLCHC, Dr Maureen O Sullivan, Consultant Pathologist at the Hospital said “This exhibition really opened people’s minds and hearts to the children with cancer who participated in this unique exhibition and has stimulated us to look at doing something similar here in Ireland”.

Prof Mr Lorcan Birthistle, CEO OLCHC, Ireland speaking at the opening of the Exhibition

This Exhibition was a collaborative initiative between St James’s Hospital and OLCHC, Dublin, Ireland. The visit of Tracy’s Kids International Art Exhibition to Ireland was made possible through the support of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Georgetown, USA, the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda USA, The St James’s Hospital Arts Committee and the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation, Crumlin, Ireland.

The Exhibition will shortly move to Tel Aviv where it will be exhibited as part of the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) activities in October 2009.

For further details on this initiative, contact Prof Mark Lawler (mplawler@tcd.ie) or Ms Tracy Councill (tracy@tracyskids.org) or go to www.cancerconference.ie . For the itinerary of the exhibition in the Middle East, please contact Prof Michael Silberman (cancer@mecc-research.com) or go to www.mecc.cancer.gov

Therapeutics Today Newsletter

The November edition of the Therapeutics Today Newsletter includes information on the impact of 'tailored care' on patient outcome in cardiovascular disease, excipients in medicines, soluble fibre and insoluble fibre in IBS, and migraine & cardiovascular disease. Please click here to view.