A NEW TEST for breast cancer, which has been hailed as a “breakthrough” by experts, is to be offered to all public patients who require it.
The Oncotype DX genetic test can accurately identify the patients who remain at risk following surgery for breast cancer, thereby determining which patients would benefit from chemotherapy.
It is estimated that the test could benefit as many as 500 women in Ireland each year.
The test was initially deemed too expensive to be made publicly available by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, however doctors argued that it could save money in the long-term as it would reduce the number of people seeking chemotherapy.
RTÉ reports that the test will be made available to public patients from this week.
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