Scientists hail breakthrough in breast cancer treatment

Scientists have hailed a breast cancer breakthrough involving the use of the drug olaparib (Rui Vieira/PA)

Scientists say they have made a breakthrough in the treatment of breast cancer by using the targeted cancer drug olaparib after chemotherapy.

A major trial in the use of olaparib at an early stage has shown that giving women the drug following chemotherapy significantly reduces the risk of inherited breast cancer returning or spreading.