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Cancer Research.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Questions (157)

Finian McGrath

Question:

224 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position regarding research into the causes of breast cancer; and if she will report on new recent developments in cancer research. [26874/04]

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Written answers

I am advised the factors that are generally recognised as predisposing women to breast cancer include lifestyle, diet, obesity in post menopausal women, alcohol and hereditary factors. Genetic factors contribute to approximately 5% of breast cancers and mutations in specific genes are probably accountable for the majority of genetically determined breast cancers. Significant international research is ongoing in relation to these factors.

Under the Ireland-Northern Ireland National Cancer Institute Consortium, an all-island infrastructure to co-ordinate the clinical trial activity of hospitals on both sides of the border is being developed. Awards to the value of €3.5 million have been made through the Health Research Board, HRB, to support this initiative in major teaching hospitals throughout the country.

In addition, the HRB, the statutory body that promotes, conducts, funds and commissions medical and epidemiological and health services research in Ireland, has awarded grants of almost €500,000 to fund research into breast cancer.

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