Donegal Action for Cancer Care has welcomed the news that 37 Donegal cancer patients have been able to have their Radiotherapy treatment at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.
Following an enquiry to the newly opened North West Cancer Care Centre, the group were told that there were 37 referrals for patients from Donegal, with 17 prostate radiotherapy and 20 breast radiotherapy referrals.
DACC welcomed the important updates and said they believe that it is good news for Donegal cancer patients in the context that not having to travel to Galway or Dublin for their Radiotherapy.
The new Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin became operational in late November 2016 with the first group of patients receiving treatment for prostate cancer; following this the Cancer Centre commenced the treatment of breast cancer. The centre is accepting all referrals for these tumour sites and have most recently commenced radiotherapy treatment for patients requiring palliative lung radiotherapy.
DACC spokesperson Betty Holmes said that saving patients from the need to journey to Galway or Dublin is an important step in the group’s aims:
“Before the new Cancer Centre opened this was the only option for Donegal cancer patients leaving them away from their families, friends & home for long periods of time. Also with this was the immense financial burden on the patient & their family.
“If you look at the DACC map you will get an idea of the distance that Donegal cancer patients had to travel for their Radiotherapy before this.
Image: Donegal Action for Cancer Care
“DACC are very proud of our ongoing almost continuous work along with others groups keeping this very important matter to the fore. DACC had Radiotherapy for Donegal cancer patients as one of our original aims back when we started in April 2005.
“We have had great feedback from some of those 37 patients who speak very highly of this excellent service.
“The Cancer Centre can if necessary help with accommodation for those patients who need this.
“The Radiotherapy Manager at Altnagelvin has informed us also that they continue to work closely with the hospitals in Letterkenny and Galway to advance the implementation of the service in line with the agreed plan.
“For us in DACC we have and will continue to work very hard in the context of ensuring that this very important cancer service will be protected now that Brexit is a major issue of serious concern.
“But for now we must all look at the benefits to cancer patients.
“DACC continue to work very hard, we are all voluntary and unpaid. We are not going away.”
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