New brain tumour groups to be set up

The success of a new brain tumour support group in Cork has led to plans to provide such groups throughout the State.

The voluntary Brain Tumour Support Group has about 130 members in Dublin. A new group was started in Cork in April and about 60 members now take part in meetings in Cork University Hospital.

As in Dublin, medical staff work closely with the group and are on hand to advise and answer questions from patients and relatives.

Ms Joan Wynne, Brain Tumour Support Group chairwoman, said she always knew there was a demand for support outside Dublin but didn't expect the Cork group to take off so quickly. It has attracted a large number of young patients, including teenagers and their families. She now plans to set up a group in Galway, which would cater for people in the west and north west.

"It is very tough and lonely if you are travelling from the west of Ireland to Dublin for five minutes of radiotherapy from Monday to Friday," she said. "There is a big need for services for people with brain tumours in places like Letterkenny in Donegal, which is very isolated. If we don't get groups up and running, people feel the services and neuro centres will never be put in place."

Ms Wynne said the group would have a strong presence around the State in a few years.

Brain tumours affect approximately 8.4 people in every 100,000. While the incidence has increased in recent years, it is believed this is explained by improved methods of diagnosis. Where the death of an elderly person might have been explained by a stroke 20 years ago, it may be diagnosed as a brain tumour now.

In a fund-raising event, the group is hosting one performance of the musical Evita in the Rupert Guinness Theatre in Dublin on September 17th.

The group's helpline can be contacted through the Irish Cancer Society at 1800 200 700 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.