Professor Arnold Hill:

The first message is that we know the outcome for breast cancer is improving, definitely compared with two decades ago where we may have had a 72% overall survival rate from breast cancer. It is now up at 85%. The treatment outcome for breast cancer is, therefore, improving.

The treatments for breast cancer are much more personalised. If somebody gets chemotherapy now, it is because we know that the specific tumour has been assessed and we know that patient will benefit with very good scientific data. The treatment outcome is, therefore, much more personalised. That is important for women to know.

Of course, the long-term outcome and survival from breast cancer is still related to the stage at which they present. If it is a bigger tumour and it is more advanced, therefore, the outcome is more guarded than for someone who presents with an earlier tumour.