62-year old Jacinta Ahern Boyle from County Cavan was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1998. 

“It was a total shock to the system, at that time the survival rates weren’t as good, so your mind immediately went to the worst possible outcome. There was no internet available for me at the time, so to access information, I actually went to my local library. 

“I learnt that there was different types of my cancer, and my type was slow growing. I was put on a watch and wait plan. As a result, I dealt with near constant fatigue for a long time.”

Around ten years later, Jacinta commenced her treatment “I was given courses of chemotherapy, often 12-18 months apart, these seemed to control my condition.

“Then in 2019, I was given a more aggressive form of chemotherapy. Overall, life has gone on throughout my treatment fairly well. I never lost my hair, so my children never felt like their mum had cancer.”

“In September 2020 I was asked to take part in a cancer trial, this ended up being the first of two cancer trials I have been involved in. I had been dealing with cancer for so long, I found a way to live with it, and so I felt I was in the right place to commit myself to a trial. My condition couldn’t be cured, but I was keen to be involved in something that might potentially help myself and others in the future.”

The Irish Cancer Society has invested millions of euro into clinical trials since 2012. Clinical trials offer hope for a better future for patients by bringing amazing progress in medical treatments. We're proud to further our commitment to Cancer Trials Ireland by providing €3 million of further funding over the next three years. This funding will help bring and start such trials right here in Ireland! Of course, none of this would be possible without the wonderful support of the Irish public. Together we can help ensure that people affected by cancer in Ireland have access to world class clinical trials and expertise. 
 

Jacinta was very reassured by the information she was given, and acknowledged she could step back from the trial at any point. She was also able to do her own research into the medicines in question. Being comfortable with what to expect was important to Jacinta, and she grew less anxious as a result.

“I got great comfort in the fact that I knew I was being very well taken care of, I couldn’t have asked for a better team to look after me.”

Her advice to anyone considering a trial, or being asked to consider one is “ask any question you can think of – no question is a silly question. Read all the material, inform yourself, because once you know what you’re facing then it’s less stressful.” 

She also adds “If you are like me and living with cancer, try live your life as normal as you can. Don’t beat yourself up when you know you can’t do something, or you aren’t physically able to do something. Be empathetic with yourself. You know your own body best. Don’t feel guilty saying no.”