Karen Murray: Hospitals need to provide the care and dignity that cancer patients deserve

Hospital capacity has not risen in step with our growing population, and cancer patients, who are particularly vulnerable to covid-19, flu, and RSV, are bearing the brunt

Karen Murray was diagnosed with breast cancer just over 13 years ago. Picture: Larry Cummins

The theme of this year’s World Cancer Day — Close the Care Gap — couldn’t be more appropriate. Nothing is as important as care when it comes to cancer and, sadly, the gap couldn’t be any wider.

Global cases of cancer are predicted to rise by more than 75% by 2050, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Ireland has the third-highest rate in the world, with around 42,000 people diagnosed each year.

And while, in recent years, massive inroads have been made in treating the disease, leading to more successful treatments and outcomes, the struggling health system means Irish hospitals are failing to maintain the standards of care that cancer patients — all patients — deserve.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer just over 13 years ago. The health system wasn’t perfect, but it was a damn sight better than where we are today, with elderly patients languishing on trolleys; operations, tests, and scans being delayed or cancelled; and waiting lists continuing to spiral out of control.

Back in 2011, I was examined at Cork University Hospital’s dedicated cancer unit within 10 days of a GP referral, received confirmation of diagnosis a week later, and started treatment almost immediately.

The cancer journey was difficult and debilitating, but the timely care received along the way couldn’t be faulted.

Chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation, medications, follow-ups — it all happened like clockwork. And that made a difficult journey a little easier.

Karen Murray.

A few of the cancer nurses gave me their mobile numbers in case of any out-of-hours queries. It was my first rodeo and there were lots of questions. Staff were busy, but found time.

“Write everything down,” one nurse advised. “That way, you can keep track of the questions you have when you see the consultant.” My surgeon and one of the nurses shared the first name — Norma — and we joked that I could find both their names together in my phone contacts.

The journey wasn’t pleasant, by any stretch, but the standard of care made it all more bearable.

Having never endured any illness other than a common cold in 40 years, it was comforting to know — and to feel — I was being cared for.

Everyone told me how brave I was and the consultant remarked that I was the most pragmatic patient she had ever come across.

But it’s not about bravery or pragmatism, it’s about care. I survived cancer because of the care I received from an excellent group of health professionals led by the clinical director of cancer services at CUH, Professor Seamus O’Reilly.

Without that, I wouldn’t be here.

Professor Seamus O'Reilly. Picture: Larry Cummins

Speaking ahead of World Cancer Day, that same oncologist is now saying a national taskforce is urgently needed as cancer patients suffer knock-on effects from overcrowding and outdated infrastructure.

Decades on from then-Taoiseach Jack Lynch laying the foundation stone for CUH in 1973, the situation is dire. The hospital is listed by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation as one of the three most overcrowded in the country. Volumes of patients have spiralled, but capacity has not.

And cancer patients, who are particularly vulnerable to covid-19, flu, and RSV, are bearing the brunt.

Prof O’Reilly said the infrastructure gap is the “single biggest issue” for patients in this country.

Speaking of shared wards for seriously ill people, he said: “Six people, mixed gender, one toilet — if it was a hostel you wouldn’t book in.” He talks about dignity, that while it’s vital to have 21st-century buildings to tackle cancer, we also need 21st-century dignity standards.

It’s difficult to have dignity when you have to wear a hospital gown, have lost your hair, and are about to have a cancerous part of your body taken away.

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Care is not just about having the best surgeon, it’s bigger than that. It’s about having privacy, space, and dignity in your surroundings as you prepare for a lifechanging operation and then time to heal afterwards.

It’s recognising that vulnerable patients need that extra bit of care and dignity, and that the infrastructure needs to be there to facilitate that. Every day I wake up and count my lucky stars that I am healthy.