A fundraising initiative got under way today to raise money for breast cancer research.
On Pink Ribbon Day, Action Breast Cancer confirmed recent clinical trials have resulted in significant advances in the treatment of both early stage and more advanced cases of the disease.
Dr John Kennedy, consultant medical oncologist and chairman of the Irish Cancer Society Medical Committee, said: "These drug developments and positive clinical trial results show that women with early stage breast cancer now have access to treatments that can produce a significant reduction in the risk of their breast cancer recurrence, and women with advanced breast cancer may now have access to treatment that will slow the progression of their disease.
"We look forward to further similar advances."
As part of today's fundraising initiative, pink ribbons and pink ribbon wristbands are being sold for €2 on streets around the country.
The money from Pink Ribbon Day will go to Action Breast Cancer, part of the Irish Cancer Society, for the development of its services and for breast cancer research.
Around 650 women die from breast cancer every year in Ireland. The latest information from the National Cancer Registry found there were 2,285 new cases of the cancer in 2004, with the numbers predicted to rise to 4,700 cases by 2020.
Some of the breakthroughs include the drug Herceptin which was used to treat patients in clinical trials. It was found Herceptin led to a 46 per cent reduction in the risk of the patient's cancer returning compared with patients who did not receive the drug.
It has also been found aromatase inhibitors are proving to be as effective or more effective than Tamoxifen, the original treatment for preventing the recurrence of breast cancer in women who have been through the menopause.
Aromatase inhibitors are drugs that reduce the levels of oestrogen in the body.
There are 13 hospitals participating in seven breast cancer clinical trials.
PA