Through your support, we have seen numerous advances being made for breast cancer patients. Survival rates in the past five years alone have increased from 75% to 88%. Research publications have grown from one being published every two years to five being published within 12 months. Investment in international clinical trials – which use a combination of drugs for breast cancer patients, in particular – are showing a 60% tumour eradication.

Through sophisticated blood tests, we are now able to offer patients a more personalised treatment plan that is specific to their diagnosis. We are also seeing 50% fewer patients requiring chemotherapy, thereby protecting healthy organs. Investment in Ireland’s first Intra-Operative Radiotherapy Device allows for some cancer patients to have initial surgery extended by twenty minutes only; this prevents them from having to return to hospital daily for further weeks of radiotherapy.

We have invested in our Education and Awareness Programmes with the recruitment of Outreach Nurse Coordinators. These coordinators visit transition year pupils in schools and women’s groups in the workplace or community in order to raise breast cancer awareness. Such awareness relieves the anxiety that a breast cancer diagnosis can generate.

Your fundraising efforts and donations mean that we can support our specialist breast cancer research nurses within the designated cancer centres in Ireland. Their role through collaboration is to collect and collate all patient tissue and serum samples into one centralised area. Once accumulated and organised, clinicians and scientists throughout the country can have access to the full 3,100 new cases diagnosed annually. Subsequently, our research discovery output can be increased.

We are also able to continue to support our research laboratories with relevant equipment, consumables, recruitment and retention of key research staff/fellowships, and can continue to participate in worldwide clinical trials. Finally, your support enables us to continue to provide education and awareness programmes on the importance of good breast health among women of all ages.