Texts and emails, Thursday 4 February 2010
Topic: Cancer care in Ireland
Panellists: Kathleen O'Meara (former Labour senator, now head of advocacy for Irish Cancer Society), Ken O'Beirne (oncologist, St. James' Hospital), Austin O'Carroll MD and Roddy Carter (cancer patient)
Re cancer care: What kind of system allows a GP 2 state in a referral letter 2 an arthricare centre that patient "now cancer free" when oncologist gave 6 months 2 live on discharge from hospital. "arthritiis" was secondaries. Records not shared between medical centres.
Marion
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I absolutely love your show but have noticed lately that post eleven thirty you have far too many ad breaks while important issues are being discussed. I feel the timing and frequency of your breaks is diluting the quality and substance of your show. Your loyal viewer who loves the menacing grin when you are quizzing guests.
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no need to call the panels names again after the brake
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I had mastectomy in August in Tallaght and Chemo they were Nothing short of excellent i am public patient,Jane Rothwell was my surgeon and Janice Walsh my oncologist
Lucy Leavy, Kildare
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As bin charges are a form of taxation how can we now be charged tax on this tax in the form of VAT especially as we do not get any value added for our taxes.
David Flynn
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Could we for gods sake give the Eamon Lillis story a rest? Why is every journalist in the country so obsessed by this tragedy?
Sean Andrews
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The gov tax people on statutory things so nobody can avoid paying like gas electricity and now bin charges under the guise off the enviroment. All households have to pay nobody can avoid them. A new tax its a disgrace . I am a self employed plumber and my income has dropped by 2/3 rds in the last 2 years.i cant afford any more no wonder suicide is up in this country
Adrian, Tipperary
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Im a nurse. People r much too tolerant. I suggest that all patients shout loudly & demand attention. Go 2 hospital & refuse 2 leave. Waiting may result n death. M. Walsh
there is actually no medical proof that smoking causes cancer it is only there assumption ll galway
First question u r asked when u call a hospital 2 try + get a bed: "R u private or public?" + u know that the answer "public" is the wrong answer. Every time u call.
Marion
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roddy while he was unlucky to hav 2 wait but at least he could pick and choose diffirent hospitals n the north west we dont hav this luxury
Siobhan
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I work in a hospital where chemo is administered. Conditions are appalling and patients are neglected. The oncologist continues to treat people in this enviornment. Its appalling and patients are stuck with it, afraid to complain.
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So much for our deal with eu on taxation for a lisbon yes.Now the vat on services is an eu directive. VRT removal is an EU Directive
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The ad tells us that after lung cancer, bowel cancer is the 2nd highest cancer causing death in Ireland. Having listened to the waiting time for colonoscopies, its no wonder!
Nick
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because of this government a Public patient is a second class citizen. Medical card patients wait up to four times longer than Pirvate patients and thats the norm! What we have in this country are Pirvate hospitals who are forced to treat the poor.
Tony in Cork
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Went to my gp one week ago last Tuesday with lump on my left testicle. Referred to local hospital for ultrasound on Friday. Admitted to Tallaght on Monday . Surgery Tuesday. Told today that tumour marker taken after op is clear. Level of excellence super 35 year old..
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The cancer service is shocking the amount of people attending hospital for several years for other health issues only to find out they have cancer and in my 62 year old died 2 wks after finding out. blood test every month for the past 6years in dublin. Talk 2 people in cancer clinics.
Fran, Dublin
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All my grandparents smoked...all over the 80s and were never a day sick.
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Get one of those doctors to check out vincent's chronic bough.
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I had colon cancer 25 yrs ago - i presented at meath hospital and was told i had 2 have colonoscopy asap - was admitted next day was operated within 3 days and had regular checks and am alive 2 day because of timely diagnosis - at a time when we didnt have money in country - we also had clean hospitals.
Marie keenan, Lucan
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What about stress or the psychoimmuniology factors?
Margaret
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I had major cancer op never drank or smoked had good diet but its stress thats a big cause
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Two major cancer factors ignored by panel, work stress also eating processed meats
Phil, Cork
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Dr O'Byrne looked my husband so well when he had mouth cancer I want to thank him.
Ann Leyden
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how does the Panel feel about Irelands five tear health service, Quinn, Aviva, V.h.i, public, private, ?
Leslie, Wexford
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please ask the cancer specialists on your panel what treatment is being put in place in the cancer hospitals for patients who develop lymphoedema.
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My grandmother is lying on a trolley on a corridor tonight-Mary harney said yesterday that the number of patients on trolleys waiting for a bed on the ward had improved hugely. She is an out and out liar. There are over 450 irish people lying on stretchers in corridors tonight. There are over 40 patients here on thirt corridor tonight. This is a national disgrace and mary harney should hang her head in shame. She is more interested in pr than in patients interests.
Louise, North Dublin
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I live in a small town. I never see anybody from the estates jogging along the lovely canal. Why? Fresh air costs nothing. Its because people on social welfare are to lazy to exercise and also smoke and drink too much. Its in their own hands.
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The changes have not benefited the people from the north west a man from sligo spent nearly 300 hours on a bus for 8 hours of radium!
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Counterfeit cigs sold on the black market are proven to be more carcinogenic than the even 'legally' produced cigarettes.
Patricia, Cork
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on smoking, a smoke a day will diminish a man's ability to poke away not to mention what the cancer can do!
Nigel McGrath
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My husband went to see a consultant yesterday. He is to have a colonoscopy and a endoscopy. He recieved a date straight away. He is having them done on Feb 22nd. We feel so lucky after listening to that gentleman's story.
Olivia
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The Government will not promote a stop smoking campaign. It will reduce public spending if people die. Do they care? No.
Ann
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Smoking is not due inequality again we do not do personal responsibility.
Dan, Cork
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Why did that man not have regular surveillance colonoscopies after he had the polyp removed some years ago?
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Sincere thanks 2 dr ken o beirne who treated my dad over a long period of time in st. James. He survived about 16 yrs since first diagnosis. Excellent care and attention and givin up smokin from moment of diagnosis.
Marie McDonnell
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Cancer has no borders until it comes to treatment as the saying used to say your health is your wealth . In our health system your wealth is your health
Brian, Dundalk
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Photo on our wall sean and tom + nell o rourke
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In future I'll record ur prog so I can avoid the ads and the rest of the crap u put on e.g. unctuous consultants and middle class health police. Ur inner city GP is a welcome relief though. Move 2 another channel Vincent. Can't take any more JML ads.
B. O'Connell, Dublin
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Just after cancer funeral vhi patient early diagnosis.centre of excellance no smoke drink no genetics.went to brain.despite your experts and best treatment.
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What about the criminal gangs in the Dail and the Central Bank with theft of funds, any chance of prosecutions, bleeding 'SNOLLYGOSSET'
Kevin, Rathfarnham
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40 patients discussed n 90 minutes, dats about 1 every 2 minutes, just how much detail can u get into, no wonder mistakes r made.
Brian
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we have a health service in this country that absorbs huge amounts of money and does not deliver a proper service the health service mirrors all the other public services they are arcane and inefficent there should be a nominal charge for all drugs i know people on medical cards throwing prescription drugs down the toilet i get my prescription drugs in enniskillen at a tenth of the cost i have no medical card
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St.J.Hosp is a great place. I know -as relatives and friends treated there.
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Have u seen the heading in front page of Limerick Post today. Nama is really an Old Boys Club' Brilliant.....
Bobby
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I smoked 60 a day i gave them up in 2002 7 years off them i am 60 years old i can now walk it mind over matter
John
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quick point. Advertising has very little to do with people taking up smoking. Since the general advertising ban in all media cigarette sales have not declined. Indeed back in the the old Iron Curtain days, in Communist countries with NO advertising, smoking was of a far greater prevalance than in Western European countries (where cigarette ads were everywhere).
Sean, Enniscorthy
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i cannot believe that no one on the panel including ken o beirne didnt mention excessive alcohol abuse related link to cancer i wonder why curious
Kate, Tipp
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Why is their no radiotheropy in the 8 cetres patients have to go to St Lukes
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i dont blame smokin my daughter age 43 just had breast cancer never smoked in her life
Anon, Donegal
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We give millions in overseas aid. Is it good value and accountable.
Joe, Dublin 3
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Hi Vincent Ya Couldnt Have Hit D Nail On The Head More Stronger by Stating dat D Tobacco Companies are making Billions Out Of Killing People. & D Government has A Warning on Each box of Ciggarettes dat Smoking Seriously Damages Your Health. MY POINT IS SURE WHY DO The Government Allow Them Companies to Sell Such A Poisioness Product That Harms People Health & Makes Lives Alot Shorter.& if D Government took Ciggarretts off D market it wud Put A STOP TO THE UNDER AGE SMOKERS Dat Come to me begging me to Go to The shop to buy Ciggarrettes for them Only I REFUSES POINT BLANK TO GO TO THE SHOP FOR Them By A LONG SHOT. U do have a Great Program. MICHAEL
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people buckled and paid bin tax, proving they are an easy target, its pay pay pay !
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Msg 2 Marian last Saturday. What a distasteful contribution from Kathy Sheridan. I wonder how Eamon Lillis' daughter will feel about her father being portrayed only in terms of his 'value' as a monetary contributor. Celtic Tiger thinking lives on. It's an accepted fact that none of us knows what goes on behind closed doors. And K. Sheridan's gossiping over the garden fence doesn't change that.
B. O'Connell. Dublin.
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MacGiolla's policies helped prevent the rise of the Provos in the Republic.
John, Dublin
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Fair play to you and t.v. 3. Ye are a great station with great programs compared to the one we pay a licence to.
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