Patient Experience
The Histopathology Biobank or biorepository is a specialized pathology laboratory that allows for future clinical or research studies by collecting, processing, and storing biospecimens. Biospecimens, often obtained from surgeries and relevant healthcare data donated by participants, maybe used as part of a clinical work-up or in prospective or retrospective studies.
The biobank collects biological samples (blood and tissue taken from biopsies and surgeries) from consenting patients and relevant healthcare data (from medical records) for use in health research to learn more about breast and colon cancer and disease. Any data we collect is stored confidentially, securely and ethically and used for research to improve healthcare in the future.
St. James’s Hospital, James’s Street, Dublin 8, Ireland D08 NHY1.
Samples (normal and tumour) and pathology data are collected.
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Samples are stored as frozen samples or at room temperature by embedding them in wax which fixes the samples so they are preserved for long term storage. |
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Just like a library, a rigorous organization system is used to ensure that samples are properly stored, referenceable and able to be found when needed. |
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Blood samples are also collected from breast cancer patients and women at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Samples are stored securely with access restricted to authorised personnel.
Medical Data is stored on a secure database and access is by authorised personnel only.
Further information on how we gather, store and use your personal data and samples in the Histopathology Biobank is detailed in our Privacy Notice available here: Histopathology Biobank Privacy Notice
The Histopathology Biobank is managed by St. James’s Hospital at James’s Street, Dublin 8, Ireland D08 NHY1. St. James’s Hospital is the data controller of the biobank and is responsible for keeping your biomaterial and personal data secure.
This biobank is governed by a biobank steering committee which is made up of clinical, administrative and scientific staff; Clinical Lead: Dr Richard Flavin, Laboratory Manager: Fiona Kearney, Biobank Clinical Scientist, Medical Laboratory Assistant and Medical Laboratory Administrator.
A number of hospital consultants and nurses work alongside the scientific staff and assist in the consent process. The Medical Team includes: Dr Richard Flavin, Professor Elizabeth Connolly, Professor John Kennedy, Mr Terry Boyle, Dr Dhafir Al-azawi, Katrina O’Connor and Delia Flannery.
Contact us on (01) 4103336 or at biobank@stjames.ie
Breast Predict Ireland’s goal was that each breast cancer patient in Ireland would have their treatment tailored for their individual cancer. The aim was to best predict which treatments are best for each patient.
Irish Cancer Society Breast Predict booklet
HEALED is a pan-cancer study that will assess the genetic sequences and tumour pathology across upper gastrointestinal, lower gastrointestinal, ovarian, lung and breast cancer samples.
Leads: Prof. Jacinta O’Sullivan, Prof. Maeve Lowry, Prof. Aideen Long
The aim is to create a collection of matched patient data to achieve a number of things:
Trinity researchers secure government funding for next generation therapies for incurable cancers
What is our legal basis for processing your data?
Any specimens and/or associated personal data will only be used to advance research, which can improve healthcare outcomes for all. The legal basis under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for processing your personal data is in the public interest Article 6(1) (e) and for scientific research under Article 9(2) (j).
We will ask for your explicit consent at the time of data collection as an extra safeguard in the legal process.
Please see our patient information leaflet and consent form which you will be asked to fill out if you wish to participate in our biobank: Biobank Patient Information Leaflet and Consent Form
What are your rights as a data subject under data protection law?
You have the following rights in relation to any use of your personal data (health data, contact information etc.) by the biobank. See www.stjames.ie for full details.
Right of access
You have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you.
Right of rectification
You have the right to correct data that we hold about you that is inaccurate or incomplete.
Right of erasure
In certain circumstances, you can ask for the data we hold about you to be erased from our records (unless it would seriously impair research which is already underway).
Right to restriction of processing
You have the right to restrict the use of your data where certain conditions apply, to have the right to restrict the processing e.g. transferring data to third parties.
Right to object
You have the right to object to any use of your information (for example if it is inaccurate).
Contact Details and More information
If you have any queries relating to the processing of your personal data for the purposes outlined above or you wish to make a request in relation to your rights, you can contact:
Email: biobank@stjames.ie
Email: dataprotection@stjames.ie
If you are not satisfied with the information we have provided to you in relation to the processing of your data or you wish to raise a concern with the Data Protection Commission. The contact details are:
Data Protection Commission 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28, Ireland.
Tel: (01) 765 0100 or 1800 437737
Email: info@dataprotection.ie
Contact form: https://forms.dataprotection.ie/contact
You can withdraw from taking part in the biobank at any time. If you would like to withdraw, please contact us on (01) 4103336 or at biobank@stjames.ie
From this point on, your specimens and healthcare data will not be used for research. However, it will not be possible to destroy samples and healthcare data already shared for research, before this date as this could impact on the research results.
We will keep a record that you changed your mind and record the destruction of your specimens and healthcare data from the biobank.
Specimens referred to the pathology laboratory in St James hospital for diagnostic testing will not be possible to destroy as these form part of the diagnostic archive.
Links:
Biobank Ireland | Cancer Research Charity
Home - Cancer Trials Ireland
National Irish COVID19 Biobank (covidbiobank.ie)
NSAI - NSAI | National Standards Authority of Ireland
Follow this link for the latest news and events: All Events Archive - Biobank Ireland Trust
