Cancer expert dispels fears over risks of new drug

A STUDY suggesting that women who take a new ‘wonder drug’ to treat breast cancer are at a greater risk of developing cardiac problems than originally thought has been disputed by an Irish cancer expert.

The drug Herceptin, which offers fresh hope to women with early and advanced breast cancer, was approved for use in record time by the European Commission last May.

It took just 27 days for the commission to authorise the application for the drug because data on its effectiveness in treating early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer is so compelling.