Doing Nothing is How Cancer Wins – CUH Cancer Prevention Programme

Some cancers run in families. For the people who carry that risk, the fear and uncertainty can last for years.

At Cork University Hospital, a new programme is changing that experience.

This dedicated cancer prevention pathway helps people understand their inherited cancer risk early and gives them real, supported choices to reduce it before cancer develops.

Professor Mark Corrigan, Surgical Oncologist in CUH, has been a long time advocate for this Cancer Prevention Programme, shifting the focus from treating disease to stopping it before it starts.

This programme brings together expert care in one clear, coordinated pathway:

  • Early risk assessment by specialist nurses and genetic experts
  • Rapid genetic testing, reducing waiting times from 2 – 4 years to just 6 – 8 weeks
  • Clear, personalised information, empowering people to decide what’s right for them
  • Access to world‑class specialists, including radiologists, breast cancer and gynaecological surgeons, and plastic reconstruction experts
  • One‑to‑one psychological support, so no one faces life‑changing decisions alone
  • Protected theatre time, ensuring surgery is available when it is genuinely needed

Cancer changes lives… unless it never starts.

Why This Matters:

  • Up to 40% of cancers are preventable
  • Even when cancer does occur, early prevention steps improve survival and treatment outcomes
  • Yet less than 5% of healthcare funding goes to prevention, while treatment dominates spending

Health systems have been built to respond to illness and they do that extraordinarily well. But prevention has not received the same investment, despite its power to reduce suffering, save lives, and ease pressure on hospitals. This programme helps change that balance.

A National First. With Local Impact. This is the only dedicated cancer prevention pathway in Ireland, and one of only a small number in Europe.

The program has already created a regional genetic testing service, easing pressure on the national system, delivered faster answers and earlier action for patients and shown how prevention can be built safely into existing hospital care.

Powered by People Who Care

This programme exists because of the collective commitment of patients and families, healthcare professionals and the HSE and NCCP and the generosity of CUH Charity supporters and the wider community.

It is proof that when communities say “this matters”, real change is possible. Doing nothing is how cancer wins.

“I have no doubt that there are people alive in our community because of the direct impact of CUH Charity”- Professor Mark Corrigan. CUH Charity works with the hospital to help fund projects and programs like this one. If you would like to donate to projects like this, please click the button below.