A new chapter in prostate cancer care in Ireland with IPCOR

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in Ireland, with 1 in 8 men diagnosed during their lifetime. This sobering statistic highlights the critical need for better treatment and care for prostate cancer patients.

Thanks to the generosity of Movember fundraisers and donors across Ireland, we are proud to be partnering with University College Dublin on a new and improved Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Registry (IPCOR).

What is IPCOR?

IPCOR is a clinical quality registry. You could think of a clinical quality registry like a fitness tracker for cancer care. Just like a fitness tracker collects data about your daily steps, heart rate, and sleep to help you understand your health and improve your fitness, a registry collects data about patients' treatments, their side effects, and outcomes. Doctors and researchers use this data to figure out what’s working, what isn’t, and how to improve care for everyone. It’s all about tracking, learning, and getting better over time.

Irish men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer are enrolled in IPCOR and followed from diagnosis through treatment, giving doctors and researchers critical insights into the effectiveness of treatments and their impact on patients' quality of life. This research doesn’t just aim to treat the disease—it’s about improving the entire journey of care.

Movember’s Commitment to Prostate Cancer Research in Ireland

From 2016 to 2020, we proudly funded the first IPCOR project, which collected data from 6,816 men across 16 hospitals, creating the largest cancer-specific dataset in the country. This information has been invaluable in helping healthcare professionals and researchers better understand prostate cancer and how to improve care.

Now, Movember is re-investing in an enhanced version of IPCOR, committing €2.5 million over three years to expand the project. Six hospitals across Ireland will participate, with University College Dublin leading the charge. The project will not only continue to collect clinical data but will also gather biological samples (such as blood, urine, and prostate tissue) to deepen our understanding of the disease. These samples will contribute to a "biobank," a vital resource that could unlock future breakthroughs in prostate cancer treatment.

The project also includes a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) made up of 11 men who have faced prostate cancer themselves. Their input ensures that the patient perspective is central to the project, ensuring that the research remains focused on what matters most to men and their families.

Why IPCOR Matters

In Ireland, 1 in 5 people who have survived cancer have survived prostate cancer. With nearly 4,000 men diagnosed each year, the need for improved care is urgent. IPCOR’s ability to track both clinical outcomes and patient-reported quality of life gives healthcare providers a complete picture of how treatments are working—and where they can be improved.

Comprehensive datasets like IPCOR provide the foundation for evidence-based recommendations that can shape the future of cancer care. By funding IPCOR, Movember is helping to build a more responsive, personalised healthcare system for men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland.

The Mo is Calling

IPCOR is only possible thanks to the generous support of our fundraisers and donors. Join the 12,000 strong Irish community making a difference in men’s health by signing up for Movember. Your support could help fund the next major breakthrough in prostate cancer care. Together, we can change the face of men’s health.