Breast cancer rates set to double by 2020

THE number of women diagnosed with breast cancer is set to double over the next 13 years with 4,700 new cases annually by 2020, experts said yesterday.

Ireland’s growing population, increasing numbers of older people and unhealthy lifestyles are all expected to be contributing factors.

Today at Croke Park the Irish Cancer Society is staging a conference on breast cancer, focusing on the role played by genetic screening in reducing the risk of contracting the disease.