A new web app, ImaGenX Touch, allows women to assess their risk of breast cancer. The app identifies women at low medium or high risk of breast cancer and provides practical recommendations according to each user’s history, age, family tree and lifestyle. The app, a €2.5 million project co-funded by the EU, targets women aged between 16 and 40.

Speaking at the launch, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne said younger women can now benefit from increased awareness and prevention of breast cancer. The National Breast Screening Programme targets women aged between 50 and 65.  The app is easily accessible on myrisk.eu and will soon be available on mobile phones.  

Mr Fearne said the preliminary phase of the project led to wider training for 12 medical specialists. 10% of 89 women who underwent a screening process at this level were referred for more tests because it was felt that the risk of breast cancer would be higher if they did not receive the necessary attention.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and a number of factors, including genetics, contribute to its incidence. Up to 65% of women who were screened at the Lascaris centre have concluded the second cycle and a third cycle will be introduced as from next year.

The Parliamentary Secretary said the government aims to increase awareness as well as the means to detect cancer at the earliest possible stage.