Getting Involved

A hand with sunlight coming through the trees in the background

UCC Cancer Trials Group has a strong focus on embedding Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in all research activities and works hard to understand the patient experience of clinical trials. We welcome patients and/or their families who would like to get involved in patient advocacy and we are actively recruiting for PPI panels.

These panels are made up of patients and caregivers who provide input on the design and conduct of our research studies, as well as the patient experience of participating in clinical trials. If you are interested in getting involved or finding out more, please contact us at uccctg@ucc.ie.

Patient Testimonials

Sonya Lynch*

“Being part of the PPI team for UCC CTG has been a very positive experience for me. It has helped me feel less isolated and has taught me how to be more proactive about my needs as a cancer patient. Knowing that other cancer patients will benefit from our discussions is very important to me.”

Mandy Quirke

Mandy Quirke

“Being involved in UCC Clinical Trials at a PPI level helps conquer my personal fear of cancer returning. Great strides and little steps are being made each day towards the 100% cure of cancer and this gives me immense hope.”                                                                                                                                                                                                    

*The Late Sonya Lynch was a member of the PPI panel for the Irish Cancer Society Women’s Health Initiative LYSA Study from 2019 to 2023. She was a dedicated patient advocate who used her lived experiences to champion for improved supports and services for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Her outstanding contribution to PPI in cancer research will not be forgotten.

What is PPI?

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) refers to the active involvement of patients, their families, and the wider public in the planning, design, delivery, and evaluation of healthcare services. The goal of PPI is to ensure that the needs and perspectives of patients and the public are considered in healthcare decision-making, and to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

PPI can also involve educating the public about cancer research and clinical trials, and increasing awareness of the importance of these studies in advancing cancer treatments and therapies. This can help to increase participation in clinical trials and improve the quality of the research. Overall, the goal of PPI in cancer research and clinical trials is to ensure that the needs and experiences of patients and the public are taken into account, and to improve the quality and relevance of these studies.

Find out more about PPI here.

Contact Us

If you are interested in getting involved in PPI for UCC Cancer Trials Group, we’d love to hear from you.