a new study of breast cancer patients spread over 35 countries and involving 5,500 women holds out a note of optimism. At the recent European Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Conference at Vienna, Harry Bartelink, head of the department of radiation oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, said that the study showed that breast cancer treatment was notching up impressive survival rates. "That we are able to prevent local recurrences in 92 per cent of our patients after five years in so many countries in Europe, is a breakthrough.' While the overall survival rate had improved by 20 per cent, the control rate of the tumours was up by 15 per cent. Bartelink is of the opinion that "it is clear that the combination of radiotherapy and conservative surgery offers women effective treatment for breast cancer.'

In another study, researchers found that smoking by lung cancer patients reduced the effect of radiation treatment. "Cancer patients who are smokers should be told that giving up smoking can improve their chances of survival,' observed Cai Grau of the Denmark-based Aathurs University Hospital's oncology department.