Dr Simon Vincent, Director of Research, Support and Influencing at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“Every year, thousands of women in the UK are diagnosed with hereditary breast cancer, caused by an altered BRCA gene.
"Finishing active hospital treatment can be an incredibly difficult time, with many women calling our Helpline to share their anxiety and fears of their breast cancer coming back. So, finding effective new ways to prevent recurrence is vitally important.
“It’s extremely exciting that this ground-breaking study could pave the way for a targeted treatment for women with high risk HER2 negative primary breast cancer with altered BRCA genes - preventing recurrence and potentially helping to stop women dying from this devastating disease.
"Olaparib must now be promptly submitted for licensing, and then assessed for use on the NHS. That's so women with this type of breast cancer start to benefit from this new discovery as soon as possible.
“This research breakthrough is testament to the tireless efforts, over the last 20 years, of world-class researchers - including many in the UK funded by Breast Cancer Now - who have uncovered weaknesses in breast cancer cells and laid the foundations for this exciting discovery.
“Anyone concerned about breast cancer can call our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000 and speak to one of our expert nurses.”