Cancer Society heralds new breast cancer treatments

NEW breast cancer treatments, which studies have shown to be 25% more successful than current treatments in preventing the return of cancer, are being heralded by the Irish Cancer Society.

One new set of drugs, called aromatase inhibitors, are for use by post-menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. Studies have shown these inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen, the current gold standard treatment.

Targeted therapies which block proteins that make tumours grow quickly are also leading to better outcomes, according to the Cancer Society. Up to 2,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year and 670 women die from the illness. It is the biggest cancer killer of Irish women.