In a column published in The Irish Times, Laura Ryan writes about living with an incurable glioblastoma brain tumour and calls for faster molecular testing and wider clinical trial access across Ireland.
Glioblastoma Diagnosis
Ryan was director of marketing, communications and public affairs at the University of Limerick before her diagnosis. In October 2025, she experienced fatigue, anxiety, and brain fog, which she initially attributed to hormonal changes. Two days before a scheduled general practitioner appointment, she collapsed at a work conference in Birmingham, England, and suffered a seizure that left her with a dislocated shoulder. Medical scans revealed a large mass in her brain.
She was flown to Cork, where neurosurgeon Chris Lim performed surgery at Cork University Hospital on November 19, 2025, to remove as much of the tumour as safely possible. Laboratory tests subsequently confirmed a grade 4 glioblastoma. She completed six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by six monthly cycles of chemotherapy.
Cancer Trials Ireland Board Address on Molecular Testing
Last month, Ryan travelled by train to Dublin to address the board of Cancer Trials Ireland as a member of its Patient Consultants Committee. During her address, she called for brain cancer to receive greater priority in national advocacy, earlier patient involvement in research, and clearer pathways from tumour testing to clinical trials.
She was informed that comprehensive molecular testing, which helps doctors match patients to targeted treatments and clinical trials, could take another 10 to 15 years to become standard practice across all cancer types. Ryan noted that this timeframe poses significant challenges for patients facing aggressive diagnoses.
Scheduled Frontal Lobe Surgery at Cork University Hospital
A recent magnetic resonance imaging scan indicated that the cancer has returned in her right frontal lobe, with doctors identifying a mix of tumour and treatment damage. Ryan is scheduled for further surgery at Cork University Hospital on October 21, 2026, just three days before International Brain Tumour Awareness Week begins.
She continues to advocate for patients to have better access to experimental treatments and international options without facing procedural barriers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Cancer Advocacy in Ireland
What is glioblastoma and how is it treated in Ireland?
Glioblastoma is an incurable grade 4 brain cancer. Standard treatment typically involves surgical removal followed by a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, though options can be limited when the disease recurs.
Why is molecular testing significant for brain tumour patients?
Molecular testing helps doctors match patients to targeted treatments and clinical trials.
When is the next scheduled medical procedure for Laura Ryan?
Her next surgery to address the recurrence of the tumour is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at Cork University Hospital.
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