Working Life: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland

Prof Eddie Moloney, clinical professor of respiratory medicine TCD, and president of the Irish Thoracic Society

Prof Eddie Moloney, clinical professor of respiratory medicine TCD, and president of the Irish Thoracic Society. Picture: Gareth Chaney

“Growing up in Salthill, Co Galway, I hadn’t fully decided on a career, but after the Leaving Cert, I had the option of choosing medicine. It happened to work out for me.

“I chose to specialise in respiratory medicine because I liked the variety of carrying out interventional and diagnostic procedures, as well as acute and chronic disease management.

“When I’m not conducting bronchoscopies (camera into the airways) or lung function tests and sleep studies, you’ll find me diagnosing and managing a whole range of conditions affecting the lungs and wider breathing system: Asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), sleep-related breathing disorders, pneumonia and other chest infections, and lung cancer.

“The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea is increasing alongside obesity — central obesity around the neck can narrow the upper airway. An estimated 0.5m people in Ireland are likely affected, most of whom haven’t been diagnosed. It leads to disrupted night sleep, daytime somnolence, and, as a result, increased risk of accidents at work or on the road, and it affects relationships. It can also lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) and memory impairment.

“We can study the effects remotely now in patients’ homes — previously, you had to be admitted overnight to a specialist sleep clinic.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland, although rates are improving with early diagnosis and rapid access cancer centres.

“COPD — where the bronchial tubes get inflamed, causing airways to narrow — is a big problem, second only to lung cancer. It causes more deaths than any non-respiratory cancer. The majority of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Vaping is also a big problem. We are seeing cases of acute lung injury and asthma and other respiratory exacerbations from vaping.

“Outside of work, I’m an avid tennis player and a longtime member of Galway Lawn Tennis Club. Growing up, I represented Connacht interprovincially, and I still play veterans’ tennis. I work across three hospital sites in Dublin — Tallaght Hospital, Peamount Healthcare, and The Beacon Hospital — but when I’m off, you could well find me at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.

• The Irish Thoracic Society has just published Respiratory Health of the Nation 2026 to coincide with World Lung Day, Friday, September 25. View the report at: tinyurl.com/4rd8dxut