Higgins reveals grief for brother’s cancer death

SOCIALIST Party leader Joe Higgins has revealed his grief after losing his brother to cancer and has demanded better health services for the ill.

In a candid interview, the Dublin West TD spoke about his pain watching his older brother dying from the disease. Liam Higgins, 61, died late last year after suffering cancer of the oesophagus.

“Cancer is a disease that really touches every family. My brother died from cancer in this November just gone out. It is a very, very traumatic thing,” he said.

“In my brother’s case, from May to November, just to watch somebody who is quite healthy on the outside, just fade away. That is endured by people, families and friends right around this country. It is quite harrowing and it shouldn’t come down, at any stage to waiting lists, or anything else.”

Mr Higgins also stressed that services of a high standard must be there to support the ill.

“Anything that will allow people the knowledge of what is coming down the line, at any stage, must be provided,” he stressed, while also referring to the need for increased cancer screening.