Ongoing work by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland shows that survival for most cancers continues to improve in Ireland -- for example, breast cancer patients diagnosed during 1999-2003 had a 5-year relative survival 8% points higher than those diagnosed 1994-1998. But clearly there is some way to go before we can attain the survival performance of the best European countries. Check out Facts and Figures.

The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and age, but there are other lesser factors. For more information see Risk Factors. A small number of men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Our EDI Publications will provide you with more information about breast cancer, as will websites listed under Useful Links. Anyone diagnosed with breast cancer and their friends and families need information but also support and a number of cancer support centres around the country are listed under Support.