A team of Cork researchers have discovered a new way to treat several cancers.
The project to improve the treatment of oesophageal, colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers was a collaboration between Breakthrough Cancer Research, UCC and CUH.
Researchers unlocked the key to understanding why some cancer cells are resistant to chemotherapy and have developed a new treatment involving lithium.
Speaking to RedFM News on World Cancer Day today, CEO of the Cork based Breakthrough Cancer Research Orla Dolan, says the discovery could improve the outcomes for almost 4,000 people who are diagnosed in Ireland every year.
"This new treatment could have potential for thousands and thousands of patients in Ireland.
"Oesophageal and stomach are two of the lowest with 24% and 30% survival rates.
"We need alternatives for those. What you find is that many with those cancers are diagnosed late, the cancer has spread and the one of the only options is chemotherapy.
"What this new treatment is doing is figuring out what we can do for the patients for whom chemotherapy isn't working."
