The Health Ministry today launched a web-based application that will classify a woman risk of developing breast cancer.

In a €2.5 million joint programme between Italy and Malta, six project partners have been working on the lifestyle, environmental and genetic profiling for women of all ages from the Maltese and Sicilian communities.

Women identified as being at a high risk of developing breast cancer will be referred to medical professionals and may undergo genetic testing.

Speaking at the launch, the parliamentary secretary for health Chris Fearne said there are 350 cases of breast cancer annualyl, 80 of which are fatal.

If caught early, the survival rate for breast cancer is 95%.

Mr Fearne said the project will help to identify risk in order to preempt the development of breast cancer.