Richard Boyd Barrett to return to politics after successful throat cancer treatment 

Richard Boyd Barrett said his treatment 'has been successful and has eliminated the cancer'

Richard Boyd Barrett said there are a 'lot of side effects' and the treatment itself can be 'heavy'.

Richard Boyd Barrett is set to return to politics in the coming weeks following his successful treatment for throat cancer.

The People Before Profit TD revealed his diagnosis earlier this year, saying he was in the middle of the 2024 general election campaign when he noticed a swelling on his throat while shaving.

Speaking on Friday, he said the treatment he underwent had “eliminated the cancer”.

“I got a scan in the last week or so, which says the treatment has been successful and has eliminated the cancer,” Mr Boyd Barrett said.

“I will have to be monitored closely, I’ve got to have check-ups every three months with this cancer for the next five years.

“But they are saying it’s worked, like it’s as good a result for the treatment I got as you could get.” 

Mr Boyd Barrett said there are a “lot of side effects” and the treatment itself can be “heavy”.

“It was a harsh treatment. It was tough," he told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne.

“I’m not 100%, but I’m recuperating. I’m a lot better than I was.” 

The Dun Laoghaire TD said, following the treatment, he has “got my life back”. On returning to Leinster House, Mr Boyd Barrett said he spoke with his radiotherapist about it.

“I asked her about going back to work and she said 'it’s kind of up to you, what you think you’re able for with the side effects and the treatment,'” he said.

“I don’t quite know, but I’m ready to try. I hope people will understand that I may not be going at 100% capacity for a while, until I try things out, because the side effects are substantial.

Mr Boyd Barrett said some of the side effects from his treatment can last a lifetime, given that the cancer was burned from his throat through radiotherapy.

“They’re [side-effects] a price worth paying to get rid of cancer,” he said.

Mr Boyd Barrett said he was unable to eat solid foods for four months, saying he lived off nutri-drinks and shakes.

“It was really not fun, and you wonder at that time, will you ever eat normal food again. Your appetite is gone, you can’t hold anything down in periods… It’s tough.” 

He spoke of how he received thousands of messages from people and politicians from all over the political spectrum.

Asked if he had a different perspective after his treatment, Mr Boyd Barrett said it made him appreciate “life” and “being alive”, as well as the work healthcare workers do across the country.

Mr Boyd Barrett said he was frustrated that he could not play a role in the presidential election campaign, but he was delighted that Catherine Connolly won.

He said his political principles had not changed, but his treatment had reinforced the idea that the “vast, vast majority of people are decent people and they want the right thing”.