New drug gives hope to breast cancer sufferers

A new drug is giving hope to thousands of breast cancer sufferers, promising longer life expectancy.

An international trial of the drug Ibrance, combined with hormone therapy, has been found to be twice as effective as existing treatments in controlling the disease and prolonging life.

“These findings are certainly significant for probably the majority of breast cancer patients who have relapsed,” Associate Professor Sherene Loi told 9NEWS.

Up to 89 percent of breast cancer sufferers survive beyond five years after diagnosis, however it is still the leading cause of cancer death in Australian women, claiming 2700 lives every year.

For Robin Norden, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988, the new drugs are promising.

“Years ago, there was not really a lot happening, but now there are so many new drugs,” the 69-year-old told 9NEWS.

Federal health authorities in the US have fast-tracked the approval of Ibrance and pharmaceutical company Pzifer have applied for Australian approval.