The Irish dance group Mystic Force, semi-finalists in the Sky One show Got to Dance, will make a special appearance at the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI ) St Valentine’s Ball on Saturday night at The Ardilaun Hotel.
They have been whittled down from thousands of acts and say they are proud to be representing the best of Irish dancing on an international platform.
They will appear on the Sky One show, which is hosted by Davina McCall, on Sunday February 20 where they will battle against stiff competition for their place in the live final the following week.
The group has pledged to donate £50,000 sterling to cancer research in Ireland if they get to the final and win the show.
Recently Kimberly Wyatt, of the Pussycat Dolls, travelled to Galway to give the group the news they reached the semi-final.
The NBCRI is based at NUI Galway under the directorship of Professor Kerin. A leader in the field of breast cancer research, it combines ethical research into the biology of breast cancer with raising awareness about the disease.
The institute is continually fundraising to help improve breast cancer services for women with the aim of fast-forwarding breast screening throughout Ireland. Its current research focuses on detecting and isolating biological markers which can indicate the presence of breast cancer and determine the prognosis of a patient.
The NBCRI says, while there are many organisations nationwide fundraising for breast cancer awareness, the Galway-based organisation’s role is unique. Its research can help to ascertain the causes and factors that influence breast cancer and therefore help to develop effective screening, treatments and medication to combat it, it says.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Ireland. It accounts for 30 per cent of all cancers in women in Ireland with approximately 2,500 new breast cancer cases diagnosed each year. It continues to be the most common malignancy in women. Irish women have a one in 12 chance of developing it in their lifetime. Some 74 per cent of Irish women with breast cancer discovered the lump themselves. The risk of developing the disease increases with age. Approximately 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50 years. Around 14 men develop breast cancer in Ireland each year.
Internationally, breast cancer mortality rates have decreased slightly despite the rise in the incidence of breast cancer in the last two decades. However, due to improvements in technology and treatment, the prospects of long-term survival and improved quality of life are increasing.
Early detection of all cancers is the best strategy for reducing cancer deaths. If diagnosed early, breast cancer is treatable in most cases. It is also important to note that nine out of 10 women who visit their GP with breast symptoms are found to have a non-cancerous condition.
