Cancer drugs for “several new clinical indications” are now being covered by the VHI, the private health insurer has confirmed.

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.

BREAST cancer sufferers are often reluctant to undergo chemotherapy because they fear it will affect their chances of having children, according to the support group Europa Donna Ireland.

A BREAST cancer wonder drug could eradicate tumours and reduce the need for mastectomies in half of all women suffering from the most severe form of the disease.