Cancer experts study research

New findings will have implications for cancer treatment

Two Northern Ireland-based doctors have said they have made a discovery which will have major implications for the treatment of breast cancer.

Dr Jennifer Quinn of the Breast Cancer Campaign and Dr Paul Harkin of Cancer Research Northern Ireland presented their findings at Belfast's City Hospital on Thursday.

They said they had found that testing tumour cells for the breast cancer gene BRCA1, could be a powerful new way of predicting how patients will respond to chemotherapy.

The results of their research will be used in medical decisions about the treatment of breast cancer patients.

The release of their findings were revealed as experts in the field of cancer research travelled to Belfast for an international symposium, hosted by the Cancer Research Centre at Queen's University.

International meeting

Experts in colorectal cancer aim to explore current research into the genetic basis to the disease and new drugs and treatments.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women in the United Kingdom.

Each year, there are more than 18,700 new cases of colorectal cancer in men and more than 16,800 cases in women.

About 850 of these new cases present each year in Northern Ireland.

The symposium, Colorectal Cancer: Current Status and Future Horizons, was organised by Professor Patrick Johnston, head of oncology at Belfast City Hospital and Director of Queen's University Cancer Centre and Dr David Waugh, department of oncology at QUB.

Dr Waugh said: "Our ability to attract some of the world's leading authorities in colorectal cancer to Belfast is a major boost for our research effort in Belfast.

"By focusing clearly in the symposium on the impact to patient care, we hope that this knowledge will become the cornerstone of future treatment strategies for such cancer patients within Northern Ireland."

Supporting patients

Earlier this month, the New Opportunities Fund announced a £3.6m lottery windfall to help people with cancer and other incurable illnesses in Northern Ireland.

The cash boost was aimed at 25 projects across the province which provide vital services for sick adults and children.

They include services which help control pain, give support to patients and families, offer emotional help and give support for practical problems relating to the condition.

The announcement is part of the fund's New Opportunities for Health programme which aims to overcome health inequalities in the most disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland.

It means the fund has committed more than £89m to health, education and environment projects across Northern Ireland.