eHealth-Hub All-Island Forum on Cancer Data

Jan 14, 2025 · KATIE CREMIN

On the 14th January 2025 the eHealth-Hub were delighted to host the inaugural All-Island Forum for Cancer Data at the University of Limerick, a watershed moment in the fight against cancer on this island.

This landmark event brought together world-renowned experts and over 200 delegates, including healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and patient organizations, to explore innovative uses of data to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes. The Forum represents a unique gathering that explored the use of data including electronic health records (EHRs), genomics and innovative data-sharing best practices to advance cancer research and enhance patient outcomes. It represents a unique opportunity for cross-sector collaboration examining innovative and affordable solutions to improve data-driven solutions to outcomes for cancer patients across the island of Ireland.

The All-Island Forum on Cancer Data is organized and hosted by the All-Island eHealth-Hub for Cancer. The Research Centre, funded by the North South Shared Island Programme is led by Professor Aedin Culhane (University of Limerick) and Professor Mark Lawler (Queen’s University Belfast) and their goal is to strengthen cross-border data sharing and collaboration in cancer data research. As Tánaiste Micheál Martin recently noted, such partnerships can significantly enhance the quality of research and its impact on patient care.

Establishing the OHDSI National Node

Today the eHealth-Hub for Cancer announce the significant step of establishing an Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) National Node, the first of its type on the island of Ireland, which will facilitate national and international cross border cancer data collaborations, empowering researchers from the island of Ireland to participate in large-scale, multi-center cancer studies, while maintaining patient privacy and data security.

Prof Aedin Culhane said “We’re excited to organize and host this conference with the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, who are innovating, tackling challenges head-on and pioneering an all-island approach to clinical genomics data infrastructure that will transform cancer care. By connecting data, we connect patients to innovative research, life-changing treatments, and clinical trials. Building world-class infrastructure will take time. During this conference we are learning best practices from world leaders. Through collaboration, we can harness the collective power of information to accelerate discoveries and improve outcomes for patients in the mid-west and throughout Ireland”

Prof Mark Lawler said “This is a watershed moment for cancer patients on the island of Ireland. Establishing this national node promotes us to the premier league, positioning us to benefit from the latest advances in data-informed cancer research. This will empower us to share data across the island and deploy the insights that we uncover to achieve earlier diagnosis, deliver better and more tolerated treatments and ensure enhanced quality of life and re-integration back into society. Make no mistake – data can save lives”

Keynote Address: How Connected Data Saves Lives

The keynote address at the forum was delivered by Associate Professor Paul Nagy, Program Director of Informatics and Data Science, at Johns Hopkins University, USA, who focused on, 'How Connected Data Saves Lives.' Associate Professor Nagy's research focuses on developing biomarkers from medical imaging, his talk explored how connecting clinical imaging data siloes will accelerate clinical research in oncology.

“Medical imaging plays a crucial role throughout oncology from early detection, diagnosis, treatment planning, to assessing the effectiveness of treatment and monitoring. Unfortunately, imaging has traditionally been treated as an isolated silo of data managed separately from clinical treatment information,” Associate Professor Nagy explained.

The eHealth-Hub team were blown away by the enthusiasm and engagement of the conference delegates. We look forward to building on this momentum and working together to harness the potential of data to transform cancer policy, care, and outcomes.