The chance of a woman in Ireland developing breast cancer before she reaches the age of 75 years is one in 10, a new report has shown.

According to the report from the National Cancer Registry Ireland (NCRI), which looked at the latest trends in relation to breast cancer, the disease is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Irish women, with almost 2,900 cases diagnosed every year between 2011 and 2013.

The report noted that incidence of the disease increased significantly between 1994 and 2013 - by around 1.5% per year. However, this increase is thought to be largely due to the introduction of the National Breast Screening Programme, BreastCheck, which provides regular mammograms to women aged between 50 and 69 free of charge.

The report also emphasised that survival rates are high among Irish women, with 82% achieving five-year survival. Meanwhile, mortality rates have fallen by about 2% per year since 1994.

However despite this, the disease remains the second most common cause of cancer death in Irish women after lung cancer. Around 690 women die every year, accounting for 17% of all cancer deaths in Irish women.

The NCRI said that the reason why more women are surviving cancer is largely due to improvements in treatments. Most breast cancers are treated with a combination of therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

The vast majority of breast cancer patients (85%) undergo surgical treatment and the report noted that breast-conserving surgery, i.e. a lumpectomy, in combination with radiotherapy, is being used more often.

Compared with removal of the breast (mastectomy), breast-conserving surgery allows faster recovery without the need for breast reconstruction. The report noted that currently, breast-conserving surgery makes up around two-thirds of all surgical treatments for breast cancer.

Meanwhile, the proportion of patients receiving hormone therapy and radiotherapy has also increased in recent years.

"Although the incidence rate of breast cancer continues to increase - partly influenced by improvements in screening - it is reassuring that the mortality rate continues to fall.

"Detailed collection of treatment data by the NCRI also confirmed strong trends towards wider use of effective and appropriate treatment for this cancer," commented NCRI interim director, Dr Harry Comber.

The report can be viewed here