South Eastern HSC Trust psychologist living with prostrate cancer praises palliative care helping him make the best of every day
The words ‘palliative care’ may fill people with dread, but Dr Shane McCarney who himself is suffering from prostrate cancer has offered reassurance saying “not to be afraid of the words ‘palliative care’.”
Sitting in his office in Lisburn’s Primary Community Care Centre, the South Eastern Trust’s Head of Psychological Services, Dr Shane McCarney, who is 53, speaks bravely about how he has now become a patient, following a Stage Four Metastatic Prostate Cancer diagnosis in December 2025.
The father-of- three explained emotionally how: “Like anyone, regardless of the fact that I am a seasoned Psychologist, your fears are that automatically, this is a death sentence. My family, my wife Olga and I focused quickly on what was the next step – what can we do about it?’”
Dr McCarney said that he wanted to share his story as part of Palliative Care Week as it is important to stress that, “It doesn’t mean that there are no options left.”
“When you hear the term palliative care, people sometimes just think of syringe drivers, but I know it means you are being offered the best support available to help you live your life as fully possible. That is something people should not fear.”
“There are other people who are on their own palliative care journey, they won’t look like you might expect, they look like you, they look like me.”
While coming to terms with his diagnosis, he and his wife Olga, who have run Marathons, turned their focus to their ‘bucket list’ and completed the Ring of Kerry cycle in July.
Shane said: “We completed 106 miles and although we were initially hesitant about sharing my diagnosis publicly, we decided to use the event to raise money for charity.”
The couple raised more than £18,500 for local charities, including the North West Cancer Centre, Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients Comfort Fund, Care for Cancer in Omagh and Prostate Cancer UK.
Shane attends his hospital appointments every three months and remains active, something he believes challenges common misconceptions about cancer and palliative care.
Shane’s is very much focusing on the future. His message to others who are facing their own palliative diagnosis is a powerful one: “When people hear the words ‘palliative’ they think about the very end stage of looking after someone who has had a life limiting diagnosis.
“Palliative care is about getting the right treatment. Managing not just the physical, but the spiritual and to have as good a quality of life, for as long as possible.”
“For me, palliative care means receiving the best possible care and support. It has given me confidence, reassurance and the opportunity to focus on making the most of every day.”
