Timely, supportive care is vital for addressing the documented unmet needs of men with urological cancers. Such interventions prevent and manage adverse effects, reduce burdens and enhance quality of life throughout their cancer journey.

The Irish Cancer Society-funded ‘Liam Mc Trial’ is a cancer survivorship programme, designed with the input of patient representatives who highlighted the unmet needs of cancer survivors.

Cancer survivorship programme for men

An important aspect of the trial is research on how to enhance survivorship support for underserved communities of men with historically overlooked disparities in cancer incidence, prognosis, outcome and quality of life.

The trial aims to assess the feasibility and impact of a holistic and person-centred, 12-week survivorship programme on patients’ physical, social and psychosocial needs and their cancer-related symptoms. The trial will enrol men with genitourinary cancer malignancies — cancers of the urinary and reproductive system such as prostate, bladder and testicular cancer.

The goal is to make this programme a
standard component of clinical care for
all cancer patients in the future.

Individualised support provided by experts

The programme involves twice-weekly input from a physiotherapist, dietitian, specialist nursing, medical social worker and psycho-oncology specialists. Programme oversight is provided by medical oncologists. The main aim of the trial is to assess the feasibility of the Liam Mc Trial programme. Additionally, secondary outcomes will focus on measures such as quality of life; muscle strength and mass; weight maintenance; cancer-related symptom control; and cancer-related fatigue scores.

Helping more cancer patients in their survivorship journey

Study enrolment commenced in June 2023. Over the two-year study period, the total anticipated recruitment is 72 participants. If this intervention proves feasible, the experiences and findings will serve as the foundation for a quality improvement initiative. The goal is to make this programme a standard component of clinical care for all cancer patients in the future.

Early data from this ongoing trial shows high acceptability among men who were offered the programme, and those who participated expressed high levels of satisfaction with the programme itself. One Liam Mc Trial participant shares: “This programme has really helped me through my treatment.” Another discloses: “Up until now, I hadn’t really spoken about my cancer but, listening to the lads talking about theirs, I think I might tell people I have cancer.”

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Dr Sheraz Gondal

Online Doctor

Traditional, in-person doctor visits can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Online doctor services in Ireland revolutionise healthcare with convenience and accessibility, addressing the challenges of in-person visits.

Eirdoc Online Doctor stands out as a leading provider of online GP services in Ireland. With a team of experienced and qualified Irish Medical Council (IMC)-registered doctors, it offers a comprehensive range of services. This includes consultations for general health concerns, minor illnesses, allergies, skin conditions and chronic disease management.

Your gateway to convenient and personalised healthcare

Eirdoc provides patients with a wealth of benefits, including:

• Unparalleled convenience: access healthcare anytime, anywhere, through secure video or phone consultations.
• Streamlined appointment booking and shorter wait times: schedule appointments within 24–48 hours and enjoy significantly shorter wait times.
• Enhanced accessibility for mobility-challenged individuals: receive personalised medical advice and treatment from the comfort of your own home.
• Cost-effectiveness: enjoy affordable healthcare solutions that save you both time and money.
• Personalised care: receive treatment tailored to your unique needs through in-depth consultations with our experienced doctors.

We are breaking down geographical barriers
and providing equitable access to healthcare.

Embrace the future of healthcare, experience the benefits of online GP services

We are breaking down geographical barriers and providing equitable access to healthcare. Eirdoc Online Doctor offers streamlined, personalised healthcare for your physical and mental wellbeing. We are poised to become an integral part of your healthcare journey.

The post Online doctor services in Ireland: convenient, accessible and cost-effective appeared first on Health News.

Pádraig MacNeela

Active* Consent Programme co-lead, Head of School of Psychology,
University of Galway

Recent Irish surveys reveal that many college students report experiencing harassment and sexual assault. Yet, there’s also a prevalent positive attitude toward consent.

How do positive attitudes towards consent exist alongside traumatising sexual harassment experiences? To improve college-based education on consent, The Active* Consent programme is leading the way in Ireland.

Findings on sexual violence and consent in students

• The Active* Consent 2020 national survey of Higher Education students, conducted with the Union of Students in Ireland, indicated that 4 in 10 (42%) female first-year students (and one in five males) experienced unwanted sexual touching within six months of starting college.
• A majority of female college students surveyed agreed they had experienced sexual harassment in the past four years.
• In secondary school pupils, most participants agreed that a smile was enough non-verbal consent for intimacy, such as oral sex.
• Up to one-third of transition-year male pupils surveyed agreed with incorrect rape myth beliefs.
• Despite this, over 80% of young people surveyed say it’s important to talk about consent.

Sustainable consent education and support
for young people requires an equal focus on
institutional ownership and staff capacity.

Changing culture: partnership, youth engagement, staff support

Empowering students nationwide to shape a safer campus, The Active* Champion programme — launched at the University of Galway — provides comprehensive consent training. Rooted in 10 years of research, it promotes a sex-positive perspective and inclusivity. Student Champions, from diverse backgrounds, contribute to a supportive environment where no one is judged for their sex choices.

• Last year, over 22,000 first-year students participated in consent workshops.
• About 90% of workshop participants would recommend it to a friend while 91% learned something useful.
• Workshops led to improvements in self-reported consent management skills, knowledge and confidence that peers consider consent important.

Sustainable consent education and support for young people requires an equal focus on institutional ownership and staff capacity. Over 1,500 staff have trained as consent workshop facilitators since 2016. We partner with Galway Rape Crisis Centre to provide 12-hour First Point of Contact training.

Consent literacy: consent is for everyone

Consent is ongoing, mutual and freely given (OMFG). Consent is for everyone — all relationships, genders and sexual orientations — and each type of intimacy. Young people in Ireland must reach the four signposts for consent literacy:

• Knowledge: accurate information on consent attitudes and behaviours; how alcohol and drugs affect consent; digital intimacy; laws on consent and sexual assault.
• Communication skills: verbal and nonverbal behaviour; what helps or hinders consent; how to talk about consent.
• Confidence: seeking support for themselves or their peers, whether from school, college or a professional service.
• Challenge: being part of the change in our culture that recognises and responds to non-consenting attitudes or actions.

The programme also offers resources for consent awareness, education and training.

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A charity offering help and support to those having suicidal thoughts or self-harming is gearing up to meet the growing demand for its services over the holidays.

For some, the festive season can feel overwhelming. Many who struggle with their mental health or feelings of isolation may feel worse than at other times of the year.

Crisis helpline preventing self-harm and suicide

Pieta, a suicide and self-harm prevention charity 85% funded by public donations, is providing clinical support services across 20+ locations in Ireland. Around Christmas, it foresees over 1,500 engagements with its one-to-one therapy — with 600+ expected to be under 18, seeking professional help.

Clare McKim, National 24-hour Crisis Helpline and Therapy Service Line Manager, says: “Last year alone, we received 230 calls and texts to our crisis helpline on Christmas Day. We expect significant numbers of people who are struggling to reach out this year.”

Prioritising wellbeing through activities
like mindfulness, exercise and positive
connections can foster inner peace.

Call or text for professional support

The charity’s 2022 figures showed a total of 100,000 calls and texts made to the crisis helpline. Around 52,000 hours of therapy were completed with 7,000 clients across the country.

Apart from preventing and aiding individuals with suicidal thoughts or self-harm, services also support anyone bereaved by suicide. Last year, over 600 families received free support from Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service officers.

Tips for minding your mental health

Prioritising wellbeing through activities like mindfulness, exercise and positive connections can foster inner peace. Below are a few ways to invest in your mental health, better moods and fulfilment.

• Compare leads to despair. Comparing our lives to others can have a negative impact on our mental health and lead to intense feelings of inferiority. Try limiting your exposure to social media and consumer advertising.

• Connect with nature. Getting outside for fresh air or a change of scenery can induce better thoughts.

• Try to stick to your normal routines, as disruptions over the holiday season may cause an imbalance in your mental health.

• Feelings of isolation and loneliness can be heightened. Try to stay connected. Spend time with friends or family, or get involved in community groups and volunteering.

The post Help will be a call away 24 hours a day for people grappling with harmful thoughts appeared first on Health News.

Dr Robert Scully

Medical Director, Student Health Services,
Maynooth University (ISHA Vice President)

The Irish student population (estimated at 350,000 people) bear a disproportionate burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with 40% of all STIs notified occurring in the under-25 age group.¹

Although STIs are usually easy to treat, some can cause serious health issues. Chlamydia is the most common STI but can be asymptomatic in 50–80% of infected individuals. The asymptomatic nature of many STIs means young people often do not seek treatment for their infection.

Helping students prevent STIs

The Irish Student Health Association (ISHA) find students often do not have the skills or experience to negotiate safe sexual health practices. Students are often establishing their identity and making the transition into adulthood. This may lead to experimental sexual behaviours, including high-risk encounters and/or multiple partners.

Equally, not all students are sexually active, and students should not feel pressured into having sex. Importantly, students should be educated and empowered to protect themselves from STIs. They must also ensure consent is always given and that sexual encounters are safe, consensual and enjoyable.

Access to condoms for protection

Studies have found that 47% of Irish students reported inconsistent condom use.² Despite widespread awareness of the consequences of STIs, young people often ignore safe sex guidance, and this places them at risk. One of the most effective public health tools to prevent STIs are condoms. In 2015, the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) set up the National Condom Distribution Service (NCDS) to supply free condoms and lubricants to target elevated-risk populations, including Irish Higher Education.

Students will receive education from student
health professionals, which is non-judgmental,
confidential and supportive.

Student health services offer advice and STI screening

 Student health services provide an ideal setting for targeted campaigns to reach this at-risk group, promote safe sex practices (including consent) and encourage STI screening. Testing is essential for identifying STIs and limiting their onward transmission. Students are often embarrassed or frightened to seek help, but the methods used today are a lot less invasive than those used in the past, so there’s little to worry about in terms of the testing experience.

Students will receive education from student health professionals, which is non-judgmental, confidential and supportive. Student health professionals have extensive training and expertise in managing the sexual health needs of students. Most institutions offer free or subsidised care. Free, at-home testing through SH:24 is available for students who are not comfortable attending the health centre in person. It is available in every county in Ireland, ensuring access to all students.

Initiatives promoting sexual health practices

Sex education is normalised through Higher Education health promotion campaigns, such as SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance) events. The key message is to use condoms correctly every time you have sex (oral, anal, vaginal) and get tested regularly, particularly if you have new or multiple partners.

Staff in student health centres will empower young people to look after their sexual health and provide them with the tools to make safe and informed decisions, which should continue throughout their lifetime.

[1] Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Ireland: Trends to the end of 2022 Health Protection Surveillance Centre Acknowledgements (2023). Available at: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/sexuallytransmittedinfections/publications/stireports/Sexually%20Transmitted%20Diseases%20(STIs)%20in%20Ireland%202022.pdf
[2] Dolphin, L., Fitzgerald, A. and Dooley, B. (2018) ‘ Risky sex behaviours among college students: The psychological profile,’ Early Intervention Psychiatry, 12, pp.1203-1212. Available at: DOI:10.1111/eip.12526.
[3] Lally K, Nathan-V Y, Dunne S, McGrath D, Cullen W, Meagher D, Coffey JC, Dunne C. (2015) Awareness of sexually transmitted infection and protection methods among university students in Ireland. Irish Journal of Medical Science. 2015 Mar;184(1):135-42. doi: 10.1007/s11845-014-1073-8. Epub 2014 Feb 8. PMID: 24510451.

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Sunlight benefits people with psoriasis. However, winter exacerbates it due to reduced UV light, colder weather, hotter showers and central heating.

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterised by red or silver scaly patches. It can affect any part of the body, but typically the elbows, knees and scalp. The cosmetic appearance and fear of social stigma can cause stress for many people. Factors that can trigger psoriasis flares include excess alcohol, smoking and stress.

Helpful tips for psoriasis management

• Reduce alcohol consumption
• Quit smoking
• Moisturise daily; regular use of emollients (moisturisers) decreases itch, burning, stinging and scale and increases penetration of prescribed active treatments
• Seek emollient advice from your healthcare provider or pharmacist regarding options including ointments, creams, gels, foams and aerosol sprays (some with active ingredients like urea to help descale psoriasis)

Let your healthcare professional know
if you are not responding to treatment
so that an alternative can be found.

Scalp psoriasis management steps

Scalp psoriasis affects approximately 80% of people with psoriasis and can be difficult to treat. Descaling is important to allow prescribed treatments to penetrate.

• Part hair at 1 cm intervals
• Apply tar preparation or coconut oil to parting; leave on overnight with a shower cap
• Loosen scale with a fine comb; comb upward, under the hair before shampooing
• When shampooing your hair, keep the water temperature tepid and use the cool setting on the hairdryer

If you experience inflammation, applying prescribed treatment can help. To maintain your scalp, use a treatment shampoo and lather on for 7 to 8 minutes. Apply emollient and descale regularly.

Be honest about your skin’s condition

• Let your healthcare professional know if you are not responding to treatment so that an alternative can be found. Do not suffer in silence. If your skin is getting you down, seek medical advice. There are many effective treatments for psoriasis.

The Irish Skin Foundation (ISF) is a national charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living with skin conditions. We operate an Ask-a-Nurse Helpline service, which provides accessible and specialist one-to-one guidance from dermatology nurses for people affected by all types of skin conditions in Ireland.

The post Psoriasis advice: management steps and where to seek support appeared first on Health News.

Health plan provider maintains long-standing ethical principles by offering comprehensive healthcare coverage and supporting charities through Hospital Saturday Fund.

The Hospital Saturday Fund charity, and its trading company HSF Health Plan, mark its 150th year by upholding the charitable principles of its founders. Notably, all profits made by HSF Health Plan are passed on to The Hospital Saturday Fund. It offers comprehensive healthcare coverage, including dental, optical, GP services, physiotherapy, acupuncture, mammograms and vaccinations.

Providing healthcare plans

Paul Jackson, Group Chief Executive since 2011, explains the organisation marked its landmark anniversary in June with events in London supported by Graham Norton, and in Dublin, where it donated more than 300,000 euros to around 50 charities.

Founded in 1873 by social reformer Reginald Brabazon, the 12th Earl of Meath, it provides health plans in Ireland and the UK for accessible healthcare. Additionally, it supports registered health charities, hospices, doctors, medical organisations and individuals in need of grants for medical projects, care, research and medical training.

Called the Hospital Saturday Fund (the day people paid their penny for access to medical care), Jackson explains: “Today, we offer various health plans depending on how much cover people would like.”

Every policyholder is part of the work of the
charity just by taking the insurance out.

Improving lives across sectors

In Ireland, 54% of people have private medical insurance. Employers such as the HSE, Government departments, AnPost, Dublin Bus, Boots and Screwfix are supporting employee wellbeing with HSF Health Plans.

Starting at €2.60 weekly, it stands out by investing in local communities via donations to medical charities. “Our whole ethos is to improve people’s lives,” says Jackson. This year, it will donate around 2.5 million euros and, since 2008, has donated around 15 million euros to 5,500 charities.

Supporting charities and policyholders

Charities The Hospital Saturday Fund has supported include Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Cork Life Centre; DEBRA Ireland; Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind; LauraLynn (Ireland’s Children’s Hospice); Spinal Injuries Ireland; and Trinity College Dublin School of Medicine.

“We get great feedback from charities and policyholders,” says Jackson. “Every policyholder is part of the work of the charity just by taking the insurance out because any profit from health plans goes to charity.”

The post Unique health plan supporting charities and medical causes appeared first on Health News.

Bowel incontinence, also known as faecal incontinence, is an inability to control one’s bowel movements. However, effective solutions now exist.

Throughout early life, I was misdiagnosed with ‘diarrhoea predominant IBS,’ and I lived with this diagnosis for 25 years. I would have catastrophic episodes of incontinence. It only got worse. 

Psychological impacts of bowel incontinence 

Every time I lose control of my environment, the panic attacks would begin; the adrenaline would flow; gut motility would increase. I would have no control over my bowel functions. It’s life-altering, and people suffer from it for years because no one wants to talk about it.  

When I was finally willing to talk about it, I felt liberated. It affects your social life; sexual life; mental health — every element of life. The panic attacks could be severe. That doesn’t disappear as soon as you put in the SNS (sacral nerve stimulator).  

More patients and healthcare providers
should be more aware of the success
of finding the right treatment. 

Journey of seeking help for incontinence: ups and downs 

I have had two stimulator devices (also known as sacral nerve stimulation) fitted. Before that, I had seen several GPs and three good gastroenterologists, but they didn’t seem aware of the life-changing treatment available.  

It was only when I went to a specialist hospital, that I got the help I needed. However, even with the wonderful care I had, there was no attention to looking after the psychological effects. 

I had the Interstim II fitted and had that for seven years. Unfortunately, it ran out of battery just as the pandemic hit. I was back to square one for nine months and had to go back to adult nappies. It was very emotionally distressing.  

More advanced solution to bowel incontinence  

When I finally had the operation, I opted for the latest rechargeable microdevice (InterStim Micro). It allowed me to get full-body MRI scans, and the battery lasts up to 15 years. It can completely stop bowel urges.  

The previous one gave me more time. This second one gave me control. This treatment gave me back my life. Currently, there is a new recharge-free battery available. I’m pleased to know there are options I can choose from when it comes time for a battery replacement. More patients and healthcare providers should be more aware of the success of finding the right treatment. 

The post How life-changing bowel incontinence treatment ended my 25 years of suffering appeared first on Health News.

People who suffer symptoms of urinary incontinence are encouraged to seek out a range of approaches that could help ease their condition.

Urinary incontinence can be effectively treated, rather than simply managed with incontinence products and pads. Lifestyle changes, physiotherapy, medical interventions and surgical devices are options that can make a significant difference.

Types of urinary incontinence

James Forde, consultant urologist at Beaumont Hospital and Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, says urinary incontinence is a common problem, affecting men and women, with two main types: (1) stress incontinence, where people experience a loss of urine during exertion; and (2) urge incontinence, which is involuntary leakage of urine and associated with an overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder factors

Studies have shown that it affects about 12% of the population; around 350,000 people over the age of 40 in Ireland have overactive bladder symptoms. Forde, who has a specialist interest in voiding dysfunction says: “Overactive bladder is a condition where people experience urinary urgency, which is a compelling need to pass urine and is associated with increased urinary frequency when you void more frequently than normal.

“A lot of patients suffer in silence or are embarrassed and do not like to tell anyone about it. Nocturia, waking up during the night to go to the toilet, is also associated with urinary incontinence.”

Conservative incontinence management

Forde underlines the importance of raising awareness and urges people to talk to their GP or healthcare professional if they suspect a problem. “They may rule out conditions that are making incontinence worse — such as infections or other medical conditions — and, from there, recommend conservative management options that can improve everyday quality of life,” he adds.

Conservative options for an overactive bladder can be as basic as patients detailing their fluid history — such as if they consume a lot of caffeinated drinks, which can be bladder irritants — or physio such as pelvic floor exercises to train their bladder and reduce overactive and urinary incontinence symptoms.

“We ensure patients maximise all conservative options prior to starting them on medication because, in certain cases, conservative management can be more effective than medication,” Forde continues.

Up to 80% of patients report a
significant improvement with botox.

Surgical interventions for incontinence

For those not improving with medication, surgical options such as botulinum toxin (botox) injections into the bladder can be effective at slowing down bladder activity. Up to 80% of patients report a significant improvement with botox. Though, there can be side effects with some patients (around 10%) having trouble emptying their bladder or developing a urinary tract infection.

Another type of surgical treatment that has increased in popularity is sacral neural modulation, developed by companies such as Medtronic, for overactive bladder patients with urge incontinence.

Forde explains: “That involves inserting leads through the lower back, which produce an electrical current that helps modulate or slow down the activity of the bladder and can be a very effective technique. About 70% of patients see an improvement.” The treatment is a long-lasting solution, aided by prolonged battery.

Seek advice to get effective treatment

In cases of stress incontinence, there are also various procedures and surgical interventions that can help. These also start with conservative management techniques and physiotherapy.

Forde’s overarching message to people who have, or fear they have, urinary incontinence issues is that they should not be embarrassed to seek advice and treatment. “There are lots of treatment options available, including very successful conservative management techniques that we build on to try and improve patients’ quality of life,” he says.

With well-established guidelines and pathways with suitable, safe and effective treatments, there are a range of options — beyond continence materials and pads — that can effectively address urinary incontinence.

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We have an amazing opportunity. The end of AIDS is within our grasp. We even know how: by letting communities lead.

Around the world, communities have led every step of the AIDS response. In the 1990s and 2000s, communities led the fight to bring down the price of HIV treatment to make it accessible. Communities have fought to overturn laws that criminalise LGBTQI people.

Communities leading global HIV support

Communities have transformed global health, taking treatment services beyond hospitals and clinics right to the people who need them most. Communities are leading service delivery, especially to the most marginalised people.

Today, 30 million people living with HIV are on lifesaving treatment. New HIV infections have been reduced by 60% since the peak in 1995, and deaths have been reduced by 70% since the peak in 2004.

Today, 30 million people living with
HIV are on lifesaving treatment.

Supporting and empowering communities

However, the end of AIDS is being held back because communities are not getting the support they need. Community leadership is unacknowledged, under-resourced and, in some places, even under attack. All governments across the world need to recognise the critical role of community leadership and resource communities. They must empower communities by providing the necessary space for them to carry out their lifesaving work.

Globally, 9.2 million people living with HIV are still not on lifesaving treatment, but by supporting communities as leaders in the response, we can reach all those still left behind. Communities are not in the way — they light the way. With communities in the lead, we can end AIDS.

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