Recognising and Responding to Young-Onset GI Cancer
Overview
Young-onset gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are on the rise, and healthcare professionals are often the first to spot the warning signs. This interactive, evidence-based CPD equips participants with practical knowledge to recognise red flags, make timely referrals, and understand specific psychosocial challenges faced by younger patients, including fertility and financial concerns. Through case discussions, peer learning, and expert-led sessions, participants will gain the confidence and clinical insight needed to improve early detection, care coordination, and patient outcomes. This CPD course has a unique focus on young onset GI cancers: existing CPD courses cover general oncology or colorectal cancer, very few concentrate on under 50s.
- Recognise red-flag symptoms and know when and where to refer patients.
- Understand key trends, causes, and risk factors of young onset GI cancers.
- Identify diagnostic tools and roles of different professions in patient management.
- Understand the psychosocial issues faced by younger patients including fertility and financial concerns.
- Recognise hereditary risk factors and when to refer for genetic assessment.
- Apply learning to improve communication, teamwork and quality of care in clinical practice.
The course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the care and support of patients with cancer.
Online Course
Weekly one-hour live tutorials will be delivered via Blackboard Ultra Class Collaborate, supported by short asynchronous learning content hosted on Blackboard Ultra. Interactive elements include quizzes, discussion boards, and downloadable referral templates.
CPD Coordinator: Mary-Louise Neligan
Teachers:
- Professor Maeve Lowery – Professor of Translational Medicine & Consultant Medical Oncologist
- Dr Emily Harrold – Consultant Medical Oncologist
- Dr Aoibheann Conneely – Consultant in Palliative Medicine
- Nicola Keohane – Young-Onset Cancer Programme Coordinator, TSJCI
- Dr Alice Talbot – Medical Oncology Specialist Registrar and ICAT Fellow
- Dr Oana Deac – Oncology Specialist Registrar and ICAT Fellow
- Dr Nicola Raftery – Specialist Registrar in General Surgery and ICAT Fellow
- Laura Sweeney – Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Oesophageal, Gastric and Hepatobiliary Cancers
- Antonia Tierney – Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Breast, Oesophageal, Gastric and Hepatobiliary Cancers