High hopes for outcome of new breast cancer trial

WOMEN from around the country are taking part in a pioneering study that could revolutionise breast cancer treatment.

Mr Micheal Kerin, lead surgeon with the national breast screening programme Breast Check and based in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, said 107 women from around the country have been chosen to take part in the Irish leg of a worldwide trial of new hormone drug exemestane. A total of 8,000 women from around the globe will take part in this multi-centre trial.

Similar studies have found that exemestane is more effective than tamoxifen, the best existing form of treatment, for delaying the progress of the disease.