Hive Cancer Support World Cancer Day Conference, City Hotel, February 2, 2024

We were delighted to host our biggest ever World Cancer Day Conference at the City Hotel on February 2.

This year we decided to do things a little bit differently and ask our speakers to present a poster of their research findings to our guests.

This new approach helped people engage with the topics, ask questions and give immediate feedback to our researchers.

Thank you to our guest speakers- Kaycee Deery of St Mary’s College for her thought provoking research into eco friendly sun cream.

To Dr Pamela Magee for busting some common myths and misconceptions around soya and cancer.

To Dr Carrie Flannagan of Ulster University who presented the findings of the recent collaborative research into the mental health impact of cancer surgery, based on the personal stories of Hive Cancer Support members which inspired the #WeCarryOn mural.

To Professor Cherith Semple who presented on some of the latest cancer research taking place at Ulster University on topics such as the place of sexual wellbeing in cancer care & the unique needs of head & neck cancer patients.

And to Dr Jeff Hannah of Ulster University who presenting the findings of his PHD study findings into the needs of people in end of life cancer care & the important & challenging conversations that must be addressed.

Thank you also to Steve Wright, Vice President of the Fire Brigades Union who presented a poster on the DECON campaign to mitigate contamination in Fire Services nationwide, researcher Helen Lynn of Menstruation Matters who presented a poster aimed at raising awareness about the impacts of toxic chemicals and pesticides used in period products, and Dr Scott Jones, a restoration ecologist who presented a thought provoking presentation on the impacts of UK agricultural air pollution on human health.

The feedback from our guests was really brilliant, including one young student who told us it’s made her want to pursue a career in science!

The conference was the first time the findings of the Ulster University research project, led by Dr Claire McCauley and commissioned by Hive Cancer Support, into the mental health impact of cancer surgery were publicly presented.

And we also premiered a short film into the research process and the resulting creation of the ‘We Carry On’ mural on Derry’s Strand Road by Peaball graffiti collective.

We had a fabulous day with the senior pupils at Thornhill College teaching the girls easy ways to reduce their cancer risk.

The Yuka app, which gives food and cosmetics a health rating, was a big hit with the girls who learnt lots if easy swaps for their toiletries.

This Cervical Awareness Month we encourage you not to miss your smear test appointment.

Many women put it off through fear or embarrassment, but it’s a quick procedure that could save your live.

Like flowers, vulvas and vaginas are all different and yours is nothing to be embarrassed about.

And the doctors and nurses who carry out smear tests don’t mind if you haven’t done your bikini line.

If you still feel nervous you can ask to bring someone with you to the appointment.

The procedure can cause discomfort and light spotting but shouldn’t be painful.

@TeamSorcha was set up in memory of Derry woman Sorcha Glenn who sadly was too young to qualify for a routine smear test.

Team Sorcha and Hive Cancer Support are passionate about cervical health awareness and campaign for smears on demand.

#DontFearTheSmear#CervicalScreeningSavesLives

Tickets are now available for our second World Cancer Day Event.

This cross border convention will take place at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, County Donegal on Tuesday February 6th and is a fantastic opportunity to find out about the services that are on offer throughout Donegal for people affected by cancer.

You will get the chance to learn all about the work of Hive Cancer Support and hear from speakers from Cancer Care West Support Centre Donegal and Friends of Inishowen Hospice.

A complimentary lunch will also be served.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/hive-cancer-support…

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