Researchers at Amsterdam’s specialist cancer hospital Antoni van Leeuwenhoek are to carry out a major research project into ductal carcinoma, a precursor to breast cancer.

Currently in the Netherlands, women with DCIS always undergo an operation and many receive radiation treatment as well.

However, research has already shown in 30% to 50% of cases, DCIS does not develop into breast cancer.

The new research is funded to the tune of €18m by Cancer Research UK and the Dutch fund KWF Kankerbestrijding and will last for five years.

The aim is to try to establish the difference between high and low risk DCIS and so spare many women unnecessary and taxing treatment, research leader Jelle Wesseling said.