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13/06/2008
'Denied' Cancer Drug Now Available
A costly cancer drug that could have prolonged the life of a patient is now being made widely available in the UK.
However, it is too late for charity-fund raiser, Jane Tomlinson, 43, who passed away last September. She was denied the drug, Lapatinib, because her NHS trust would not pay the £6,700 cost.
Though terminally-ill with cancer, Jane Tomlinson raised more than £1.5 million for charity by running in three London Marathons, several triathlons and The Great North Run.
Together with her brother she also cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End and from Rome to Leeds.
Lapatinib can prolong the life of women suffering a type of advanced breast cancer by curbing the growth of the disease.
It is reported that around a quarter of women with breast cancer suffer the HER2 positive kind.
The drug also known as Tyverb, has received its European licence, which makes it available on private prescription in the UK.
Mrs Tomlinson's husband, Mike campaigned for the drug to be made widely available after her death.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) will assess later if patients will be able to receive it on the NHS.
Pamela Goldberg, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign said: "It is encouraging news that Tyverb has received a conditional licence indication for metastatic breast cancer.
"However, it is important to emphasise that it is not a new wonder drug suitable for all breast cancer patients.
"Around 2,000 women in the UK with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer who have previously followed a specific drug regime could benefit from this treatment.
The signs are promising and we hope that Tyverb will be developed further as a treatment in the earlier stages of breast cancer.
"Tyverb is a new way to treat breast cancer as it specifically targets the receptors responsible for tumour growth; just one of the many new breast cancer treatments in the pipeline that will provide tailored treatment for the patient," she said.
Jane was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2000, but against doctor's advice, she embarked on a series of marathons and athletic challenges to raise money for charity.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women.
According to figures released by the Breast Cancer Campaign, approximately 12,500 women will die from breast cancer every year.
(DS)
However, it is too late for charity-fund raiser, Jane Tomlinson, 43, who passed away last September. She was denied the drug, Lapatinib, because her NHS trust would not pay the £6,700 cost.
Though terminally-ill with cancer, Jane Tomlinson raised more than £1.5 million for charity by running in three London Marathons, several triathlons and The Great North Run.
Together with her brother she also cycled from John O'Groats to Land's End and from Rome to Leeds.
Lapatinib can prolong the life of women suffering a type of advanced breast cancer by curbing the growth of the disease.
It is reported that around a quarter of women with breast cancer suffer the HER2 positive kind.
The drug also known as Tyverb, has received its European licence, which makes it available on private prescription in the UK.
Mrs Tomlinson's husband, Mike campaigned for the drug to be made widely available after her death.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) will assess later if patients will be able to receive it on the NHS.
Pamela Goldberg, Chief Executive of Breast Cancer Campaign said: "It is encouraging news that Tyverb has received a conditional licence indication for metastatic breast cancer.
"However, it is important to emphasise that it is not a new wonder drug suitable for all breast cancer patients.
"Around 2,000 women in the UK with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer who have previously followed a specific drug regime could benefit from this treatment.
The signs are promising and we hope that Tyverb will be developed further as a treatment in the earlier stages of breast cancer.
"Tyverb is a new way to treat breast cancer as it specifically targets the receptors responsible for tumour growth; just one of the many new breast cancer treatments in the pipeline that will provide tailored treatment for the patient," she said.
Jane was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2000, but against doctor's advice, she embarked on a series of marathons and athletic challenges to raise money for charity.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women.
According to figures released by the Breast Cancer Campaign, approximately 12,500 women will die from breast cancer every year.
(DS)
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