Leading cancer experts to gather in Croke Park

Gathering Around Cancer, due to take place later this month, promises to be an unmissable meeting for those working in cancer care and research

The annual Gathering Around Cancer meeting will take place on 20–21 November 2025 at the Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin. Now one of the most important events in Ireland’s oncology calendar, the two-day conference brings together clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates from across Ireland and abroad to share the latest developments in the specialty.

The opening address will be delivered by Mr Robert O’Connor, Chair of the National Cancer Registry and ARC Cancer Support.

The meeting begins with the Young Investigators session, chaired by Prof Patrick Morris, Beaumont Hospital, and Dr Niamh Coleman, St James’s Hospital, both in Dublin. This session highlights the innovative research being carried out by early-career clinicians across Ireland and internationally.

First, Dr Carolyn Lineen, St James’s Hospital, will discuss emerging strategies in cancer treatment. This will be followed by updates on prostate and breast cancer from Dr Marvin Lim, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, and Dr Zeeshan Zameer, Oxford University Hospital NHS Trust, UK.

Dr Nadine Copty, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH), Dublin, will present findings from a single-centre study assessing the diagnostic value of CEA in treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer. The session closes with a discussion and audience questions, setting a collaborative tone for the day.

Innovation in oncology

The next session, Innovation in Oncology, chaired by Prof Maccon Keane, Galway University Hospital and Prof Liam Grogan, Beaumont Hospital, focuses on the frontiers of cancer care.

Prof Patrick Forde, St James’s Hospital, will explore how immunotherapy before and around surgery is changing cancer outcomes. Prof Martin O’Connell, MMUH, Chair of the Irish Nuclear Medicine Association, will outline the potential of radioligand therapy in Ireland. Dr Karen Cadoo, St James’s Hospital, will discuss new approaches to reducing genetic risk, while Dr Austin Duffy, MMUH, provides an update on START Dublin, an important recent initiative, which is providing patients with advanced cancer access to experimental treatments.

Dr Ying Liu, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC), New York, US, will look at how genetic testing and precision medicine are shaping the future of oncology care. The session will close with a personal and inspiring story from patient advocate Ms Pamela Deasy, who will share her experience of pancreatic cancer.

Strengthening cancer care systems

The afternoon continues with a session on Cancer Care Systems, chaired by Dr Anna Linehan, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Dublin, and Dr Cliona Grant, St James’s Hospital. This session looks at survivorship, psychological support, and system improvements.

Talks include those by Dr Raheel Khan, St James’s Hospital, on testicular germ cell tumour survivorship, Dr Vicky Cooper Lunt, Beaumont Hospital, on psycho-oncology, and Dr Peter Carr, University of Galway, on vascular access in cancer treatment. Ms Brid O’Riordan, St James’s Hospital, will speak about the role of clinical nurse specialists in prostate cancer survivorship, and Dr Noel McCaffrey, Dublin City University, will discuss the importance of exercise in cancer care.

Dr Jean-Benoit Burrion from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes will give an update on the Organisation’s work and what it means for Irish cancer centres.

Sarcoma and melanoma updates

The day concludes with a Sarcoma Update, chaired by Dr Caitriona Goggin, University Hospital Waterford, and Prof Mark Doherty, St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH). This session provides a focused look at developments in rare cancers.

Presentations include Dr Hailey Carroll, SVUH, on medical developments in sarcoma, Dr Leona Doyle, University College Dublin, on pathology, and Dr Albiruni Razak, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada, on new therapies for soft-tissue sarcoma. Ms Hazel Murray, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, SVUH, will discuss her role in sarcoma care, and Dr Sarah Lochrin, SVUH, will provide an update on melanoma. The first day will close with remarks and a networking event where attendees can share ideas and build collaborations.

Second day

The second day of the conference opens with a welcome address from Dr Michael McCarthy, University Hospital Galway, who will then deliver updates on Ireland’s medical oncology service.

The second Young Investigators session will follow, chaired by Dr Niamh Peters, University Hospital Limerick, and Dr Lore Komanyane, Sligo University Hospital.

Dr Maeve Hennessy, University of Chicago Medicine, US, will examine the link between breast cancer and the gut microbiome. Dr Dara Bracken-Clarke, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, US, will share new insights in immuno-oncology, while Ms Helen Hancock, MSKCC, will discuss the growing role of advanced practice providers in clinical research.

Dr Iseult Browne, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK, will present on integrating circulating tumour DNA into treatment decision-making for breast cancer, followed by Dr Calvin Flynn, MMUH, on targeted therapies for RAS-mutated cancers.

After a short break, attention turns to Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary Cancer Updates, chaired by Dr Darren Cowzer, MMUH, and Prof Ray McDermott, St Vincent’s Private Hospital.

Dr Yelena Janjigian, MSKCC, will present the latest advances in gastrointestinal cancers. Dr Min Yuen Teo, Beaumont Hospital, will review current strategies in genitourinary cancers, and Dr Yasser Ged, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, US, will discuss the evolving management of renal cell carcinoma.

Dr Michael Conroy, MSKCC, will provide updates in gynaecological cancers, and Mr Michael Janjigian, MSKCC, will explore the expanding role of bedside ultrasound in oncology care. The conference concludes with a session chaired by Dr Roisin Connolly, Cork University Hospital (CUH), focusing on the work of Cancer Trials Ireland. Prof Seamus O’Reilly, CUH, will deliver the update, highlighting progress in clinical trials and the importance of international collaboration.