Go-ahead for herceptin (From Western Telegraph)

Go-ahead for herceptin

Pembrokeshire breast cancer patients in the early stages of the disease have welcomed the news they will get access to the drug herceptin if their doctor thinks it will work for them.

The Pembrokeshire Local Health Board has agreed to make the drug available following advice from the South West Wales Cancer Network.

It will bring Pembrokeshire in line with all the other LHBs in Wales and the changes will come into force today (Wednesday).

Nurse Christine Wales (pictured right), of North Norton, Manorbier, was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly four years ago. She has never been offered the option of herceptin, but concedes this may be because the drug is not suitable for treating every type of breast cancer.

She empathised with the women who have been fighting for the wider availability of herceptin, including patients in Pembrokeshire who had supported the national campaign.

"With every disease or condition, whether it's multiple sclerosis, infertility or breast cancer, it is understandable that a patient will want access to a treatment if there is even the slightest chance that it will work for them," she said.

The Pembrokeshire Local Health Board said clinicians will still have to decide whether their patients meet the criteria for herceptin.

Recent research in America suggests the risk of tumours recurring with certain type of breast cancer can be cut by up to half if the drug is taken in the early stages of the disease.

Although it has not been licensed for use at this stage of the disease, the decision as to whether it is appropriate to prescribe will be left up to individual clinicians within agreed limits.