Irish scientists have discovered a way of predicting the return of breast cancer to a patient through biological reaction to breast cancer treatment.

Medical specialists believe that after medical treatment, up to 30 percent of breast cancer patients usually see their cancer return.

A team of scientists led by Dr Lenie Young at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has developed a "biomarker" which tells doctors how well a patient will react to cancer treatment.

"We have identified a biomarker in blood that can help predict what kind of treatment is best suited to each patient. Once someone is diagnosed, their blood can go to the hospital lab and the results will give the consultant a clear picture very quickly," said Young.
 
Breast cancer is the second most common form of caner in Ireland with over 1,700 people diagnosed in Ireland each year.

The "biomarker" could potentially save the lives of thousands of people around the world.

Doctors will be able to tailor make drugs and prescriptions for patients as they will be able to predict their biological reaction to such medications.

The predictive markers effectively give the medical world an early detection system for breast cancer. The early detection treatment is a relatively quick and cheap process, doctors will be able to predict a patients reaction to cancer drugs, several hours after they are tested.

Young and her team hope to have the "biomarker" legalized within the next three years, and they are currently seeking a commercial partner to test and produce the discovery.