An increase in the number of drug trials carried out in the State by pharmaceutical companies will give patients earlier access to new combinations of cancer drugs, according to the Irish Cancer Society.
It has announced £400,000 in research grants for 19 projects. It is also giving £75,000 to the Irish Clinical Oncology Research Group (ICORG), a body made up of cancer treatment specialists who aim to attract cancer research by drug companies. In the past four years, 427 patients have taken part in 11 clinical trials in the State.
An expansion of such research means that "Irish patients will have early access to new combinations of cancer drugs, vaccines and novel compounds at the same time as patients in the United States, rather than having to wait three to seven years," Dr Brian Moulton, co-ordinator of ICORG said.
The ICS is also sponsoring research into virtual colonoscopy, by Dr Padraic MacMathuna at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.
Its aim is to avoid invasive colonoscopy procedures in people with suspected bowel cancer. Virtual colonoscopy involves using computer-generated images from CT scans. Dr MacMathuna hopes it will be in use in clinics within three years.
About 2,000 people a year get bowel cancer and about half die from it. After skin cancer, it is the most common cancer in Ireland.
"Detection of bowel cancer in its early stages would have a significant impact on mortality rates in this country," said Mr Barry Dempsey, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society.