Cancer specialists have welcomed the arrival of a new treatment that has the potential to extend the lives of patients with advanced colorectal cancer by 30 per cent when used with chemotherapy.
Scientists are also looking at the possibility of treating other types of cancer with the drug.
Colorectal cancer is a malignant growth within the lining of the colon or rectum and is the most common type of cancer in this State. The incidence of this cancer in Ireland is the second-highest in Europe, and more than half of people diagnosed with the disease die from it.
The new drug, being marketed as Avastin by Roche Products Ireland, works by starving the tumour of its blood supply.
Yesterday it was described as a significant breakthrough by Dr Ray McDermott, consultant medical oncologist at Tallaght Hospital.
While the drug is only currently licenced for treating colorectal cancer, he said the possibility of treating other tumour types was being considered.
The development was also welcomed by Prof Colm O'Morain, consultant gastroenterologist at Tallaght Hospital.
He called for the introduction of a screening programme for people aged between 50 and 75. "Awareness of colorectal cancer and the importance of screening cannot be overstated. This type of cancer is the second-most common cause of death from cancer in Ireland but it carries a good prognosis if diagnosed and treated in time," Prof O'Morain said.
