Irish scientists are working on a diagnostic test to measure the individual risk of cancer recurrence in women with early-stage invasive breast cancer which could significantly reduce the numbers sent forward for chemotherapy.

The number of Irish women forced to undergo chemotherapy treatment for early stage breast cancer more than halved over an 18-month period, following the HSE’s approval of a new genetic test.

A new test hailed by breast cancer experts as a medical breakthrough won't be offered to public patients because of the costs involved, it has been reported.