Nothing about us, without us: The patient role in cancer research

A new podcast series is shining a light on gynaecological cancers that affect 1,400 women every year in Ireland. Bridget Carr, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019, says sharing her experience as a patient advocate has been deeply rewarding 

Bridget Carr who spoke to journalist Deirdre McArdle about cancer treatments. Picture: Kieran Ryan-Benson 

Limerick woman Bridget Carr was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019. At the end of 2018, she had discovered a cyst on her ovary. A surgery on December 21 revealed several tumours and the doctors removed both ovaries and fallopian tubes. In early 2019, Bridget was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

A year of treatment followed, says Carr who is a mother of two. “After my official diagnosis, I met with my oncology team and they mapped out my treatment plan. I was scheduled to do six rounds of chemo, followed by surgery. At this stage, I didn’t ask too many questions; I didn’t know what to ask.”