'Genes test avoids need for chemo'

Doctors have discovered a genetic pattern which could avoid the need for aggressive chemotherapy in some breast cancer patients, it was announced today.

Researchers say they have found a way to identify which patients are at risk of their breast cancer returning years after initial treatment, and which are not. It means those not at risk could avoid the need for unnecessary chemotherapy.

About 60 to 70 per cent of women whose breast cancer has not spread to their lymph nodes are cured after surgery and radiotherapy and their cancer does not return. But most of these patients are recommended to have chemotherapy as well, as a precaution against it returning.

Now these women could be spared chemotherapy's sometimes distressing side effects.

Antonia Bunnin, policy and campaigns director for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, welcomed the findings but added: "Similar research has produced conflicting results, so this study should be treated with caution. It is important to remember chemotherapy can be effective for many patients."