I have had breast cancer and survived it, I think I suffered more mental anguish than physical , it was caught early and I had no spread, so I just have a very large scar and some scar tissue , so I know I was extremely lucky, it was found when I had a check up on the mobile screening unit. I have had 3 lumps removed from my breast prior to the real deal, and my mother also died of breast cancer.
My husband (Tomdog) has now been diagnosed with Liver Cancer and unless he gets funding for a new drug, his life will be cut short, we have lost the appeal for funding , we have been in the newspapers, radio and television, trying to highlight the case of this ridiculous system of funding which causes postcode lottery. I believe it is morally wrong to withhold a drug that you may benefit from on the grounds of cost, especially if you offer to help with the costs yourself (by selling assets), and they tell you if you do that you are unable to get any further treatment on the NHS. WHY? surely if you can put any money into helping the NHS that has to be a good thing, but not them, it is all or nothing, in a nutshell they will not provide treatment and they will not allow you to buy it either without taking away care that you are already getting. CRAZY.
Having had cancer and now being the partner of someone with cancer, for me it was easier to be the person with the cancer. I find it very frustrating not being able to do more than I do. Feels like I rage at the moon, try to engage people on what is happening to cancer sufferers but it feels like I am talking to empty vessels.
FormerMember
Hi Penny been Doctors name of drug is AVASTIN, Doctor had not heard of it but its available in Scotland and I am only 10 miles away from border in Carlisle.Do you know of any one that as used this drug.Hope you are ok take care.
I have heard of this drug, they use it for colon, rectum, lung and breast cancer to my knowledge, Paul Miller has a petition set up on downing street website , and he also has a blog on Macmillan and this relates to Avastin and his struggle to get it.
It is one of the drugs that some PCT's will not fund on the basis of cost versus life years gained, read : "if it comes to over £30,000 they will hesitate about funding it", but as you say , they are using it in Scotland and you live so near ask to be treated at a Scottish Hospital, I assume you are applying for funding to your PCT, the hospital you are under making that application? If you have trouble getting it , go to the media, this is a big issue at the moment.
I wish you the very best of luck and you can always send me a private message if you want to
