On the pulse - for people affected by breast cancer

Cancerkin’s news update….

On 2nd November, we are starting Hypnotherapy treatments at the Cancerkin Centre. We have also started Spiritual Healing sessions and appointments are available; however, if you would like to know more about it, Kathryn Scorza is holding a group meeting on 17th November, where people can have a 15 minute ‘taster’ session. To book an appointment or for more information on these or any other treatments, please contact Jean Hafezi (020 7830 2323) at the Cancerkin Centre.

In the news…

NICE to refuse use of drug for women with advanced breast cancer

I reported in March 2009 that GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturers of the drug Lapatinib (also known as Tyverb), were appealing the decision by NICE[1] to reject funding for use of the drug by the NHS, on the basis that they considered it was not a cost effective use of resources. Lapatinib is commonly used to treat a particular type of advanced breast cancer which has returned, despite use of standard treatments. It is not a cure, but can delay the progression of the cancer. It is thought that about 2000 women could be eligible for the drug.
The appeal has now been heard, but it seems that it will be turned down again, essentially for the same reasons as last time - cost. NICE have reached this decision despite the fact that GSK had offered to fund the first 12 weeks of treatment with the drug and despite their own new rules whereby they were going to be more flexible in their approach to end of life cancer drugs.
This story was carried in many newspapers, including The Guardian at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/oct/21/women-denied-cancer-drug

The Guardian also quotes Alison Jones, member of Cancerkin’s Medical Advisory Panel and Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Royal Free Hospital as saying:
"This is a useful drug for patients with breast cancer. It is not the cure. This is second-line disease and you don't expect stunning results," she said. "Anywhere else in Europe you can have it. I think it should be here."

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

In a regular column on health issues in the Daily Express, Dr Rosemary Leonard gives some information on triple negative breast cancer, explaining what it is and how it can be treated. See the article at www.express.co.uk/ourcomments/view/135147 and more detailed information on this type of breast cancer, which affects approximately 15% of those diagnosed with the disease, can be found at:
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/about-cancer/cancer-questions/triple-negative-breast-cancer

Nicky Waldman (n.waldman@cancerkin.org.uk) 26 October 2009


[1] The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence – drugs watchdog for England & Wales