New survey aims to explore experience of breast cancer patients

Siobhan Gaynor, a member of Cancer Trials Ireland Patient Consultants' Committee, was treated for breast cancer in May 2019, but diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in October 2020 which she said is “currently incurable”.

Siobhan Gaynor felt “traumatised, afraid and lost” on hearing she had an incurable form of breast cancer, and is now working with Cancer Trials Ireland researching gaps in non-medical care.

A survey on patient experience, launched on Monday, is the first Irish patient-led research to undergo rigorous ethics and scientific approval, backed by medical experts. Ms Gaynor, a former research scientist, was treated for breast cancer in May 2019, but diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in October 2020 which she said is “currently incurable”.