Pathology underpins every aspect of medicine, from diagnostic testing and monitoring of chronic diseases to cutting-edge genetic research and blood transfusion technologies and is integral to the diagnosis of every cancer.

Consultant pathologists are specialist medical practitioners who study the cause of disease and the ways in which diseases affect our bodies by examining changes in the tissues and in blood and other body fluids. Some of these changes show the potential to develop a disease, while others show its presence, cause or severity or monitor its progress or the effects of treatment. From investigating infertility to researching neurological disorders, consultant pathologist careers are incredibly diverse – focusing on a different area of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

In Ireland, pathology has major areas of activity: Chemical Pathology, Haematology, Histopathology, Immunology and Microbiology.