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In the pink!As breast cancer drug Herceptin continues to hit the headlines. Arena takes a closer look. A group of courageous women in Staffordshire are at the forefront of a campaign to make the breast cancer drug Herceptin available on the NHS. The campaign, started in June last year, has already had remarkable success with seven women now receiving the treatment. The team are now determined to take the campaign nationally. At the forefront is Dot Griffiths, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and given just six months to live. "It's been an emotional roller-coaster ride for all of our families," she said. "We've gone through the lows of being refused the treatment to the highs of winning our individual battles to be prescribed the drug. It's been exhilarating and humbling at the same time. The support we've had from people has been fantastic. Winning has given us a lifeline." Lynne Burton, who is now being prescribed Herceptin, believes the drug has made a major improvement to her life. "I'm a direct beneficiary of the campaign," said Lynne, who was treated for cancer in the early '90s. The cancer returned and, like her friends, she has had a complex course of treatment involving radio and chemotherapy. "Having cancer is traumatic enough without being told you are not eligible, for whatever reason, to receive a drug which could help. I was given Herceptin in January this year. It's made a real difference." Elaine Davies is also battling cancer and joined the campaign even though she was prescribed the drug early on in her treatment. Local Usdaw rep Ellen Shaw and colleague Deb Kane, who work at the Tesco store in Longton, have been heavily involved in the fundraising efforts. "It's a subject close to my heart as Elaine Davies, my sister-in-law, has terminal cancer and has been treated with Herceptin," said Ellen. "Deb and I became involved because we wanted to help other women receive the drug as early as possible. In one instance we had women living within two miles of each other but because they came under different health trusts some were given the drug, others weren't. We know it's a complicated issue but we believe more can be done for women with breast cancer." More than £70,000 has been raised and is looked after by a specially set up charity. Some of the money has been used to pay for women to receive the drug privately. Cash has also been donated to the cancer unit of a local hospital. The women have won the support of their local MPs and the press and they have even appeared on the BBC's Panorama programme earlier this year. The team also handed in a 36,000 signature petition at 10 Downing Street last September.
Herceptin: The Facts
Latest newsThe European Medicines Agency, part of the regulatory process, has rushed through its approval of Herceptin for use in cases of early breast cancer. The final stage of the procedure is likely to be completed within 90 days. For more information visit: www.fightingforherceptin.org.uk  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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