We're proud to be working in partnership with Breakthrough Cancer Research Ireland for a second year in a row.
In 2024, we donated €115k to help tackle cancer inequalities and support research into hard-to-treat cancers and this year we have announced another donation of €120k.
One in two people in Ireland will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime and one person dies from cancer in Ireland every hour. 1 In 2024, 65% of our Specified Serious Illness claims were cancer related.2
Royal London Ireland is very proud of this partnership with Breakthrough Cancer Research, aimed at supporting the lifesaving work the charity does through their ongoing research into the disease. This partnership has focused on funding research, while increasing awareness, of cancers with the lowest survival rates. Aligned with Royal London Ireland’s purpose, 'Protecting today, investing in tomorrow. Together we are mutually responsible', the outcome of this partnership is to help reduce cancer inequalities, which have a significant impact on the outcome for those affected, for this and future generations.
To help give everybody a fairer chance of better outcomes, Royal London Ireland is funding initiatives to tackle cancer inequalities.
Why cancer inequality?
We know that, unfortunately, inequalities can impact health and, more specifically, cancer outcomes. Inequalities exist due to factors outside of a person's control. This can include things like socioeconomic status, education, gender, ethnicity, age and even postcode. These factors can impact risk of getting or surviving cancer due to differences in peoples’ health and opportunities to lead a healthy life, their access to care and the quality of care they receive.
The partnership has primarily funded research projects, in the Breakthrough Cancer Research innovation fund, which focus on the cancers that have the lowest survival rates in Ireland. It will also fund the creation of evidence-based subject matter, training and resources to create more awareness, break down barriers around health education and dispel some of the myths around cancer.
Our Funding
As part of our partnership, Royal London Ireland’s funding has gone towards the following Innovation Grant projects:
Project: Development and Modelling of a Non-Specific Symptoms (NSS) Cancer Referral Pathway to Improve Early Detection in Ireland
Summary: This project aims to create a new referral pathway to help GPs identify and refer patients with Non-Specific Symptoms (NSS) more efficiently for further testing. By leveraging data analysis and stakeholder engagement, the pathway will streamline the referral process. Supported by national collaborators like the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Centric Health, and international partners such as Oxford University and Queen Mary University London, this initiative seeks to transform cancer care in Ireland. The goal is to reduce diagnostic delays and improve survival rates for cancers with poor prognoses.
Prof. Patrick Redmond – Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Project: Investigating the Role of TRPA1 in Lung Cancer
Summary: This study focuses on understanding the role of cough receptors in the development of lung cancer, specifically investigating the TRPA1 receptor. The research aims to determine if TRPA1 could be a potential target for future lung cancer treatments. By conducting thorough research, the study hopes to uncover the significance of cough receptors in lung cancer development and explore new treatment possibilities.
Dr. Diarmuid O’Connor – St. James’s Hospital – Trinity College Dublin
About Breakthrough Cancer Research
Breakthrough Cancer Research is an Irish medical research charity focused on cancer. They work to significantly impact the number of children and adults who can survive this disease. They invest in world-class research in Ireland to impact the quality of life for people with cancer and save lives. They are particularly focused on improving outcomes for those cancers, which are poorly served by current treatment options.
The charity is focused on:
- Funding world-class cancer research into poor prognosis cancers, which are poorly served by current treatment options.
- Facilitating collaboration between scientists and clinicians across Ireland and Internationally.
- Accelerating the translation of lab discoveries into new effective treatments for people with cancer.
Thanks to support and donations they have invested millions in cancer research, funding the development of new treatments for cancer.
1 Breakthrough Cancer Research Strategy 2022-2027: Making More Survivors
2 Royal London Ireland Specified Serious Illness claims statistics 2025