Breast cancer drug test for all
Herceptin
The drug is already used for advanced cancer
All women with early stage breast cancer are to be tested to see if they could benefit from the drug Herceptin, the government has announced.
The drug is currently only licensed for use in women with advanced breast cancer.
But it is also thought to be effective at treating the early stages.
Testing now should mean women who could benefit will be ready to receive the drug as soon as the licence is extended - probably next year.
Herceptin has the potential to save many women's lives and I want to see it in widespread use on the NHS
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt
Herceptin targets a protein called HER2, which appears to be over-abundant in some women's breast cancers.
An estimated fifth of breast cancer cases are HER2 positive.
Campaigners, including the Fighting for Herceptin group who last month presented a petition of 34,000 signatures to Downing Street, are calling for immediate wider access to the drug.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) can currently fund Herceptin treatment for women with early stage breast cancer, if they so wish, but campaigners say lack of funds and official approval mean that many women who could benefit are being denied the drug.
Last week, former nurse Barbara Clark won her battle to be given Herceptin.
Mrs Clark, who has early stage breast cancer, had been told she would have to pay privately for the drug.
'Next year'
Under the government's plan, testing for the HER-2 receptor would take place when women undergo breast cancer surgery.
We are still, concerned that Herceptin will not be available for women with early breast cancer until 2006
Joanne Rule, CancerBACUP
If chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, which take some months, do not eradicate the cancer, it is at this stage women would be given Herceptin.
The government says this timescale means that, by introducing routine HER-2 testing now, women would be able to benefit as soon as Herceptin is licensed for use on the NHS.
The company which makes the drug, Roche, is not due to apply for a licence for the Herceptin's use for early stage breast cancer until February next year.
It says the application cannot be made any sooner because data from independent research has to be evaluated before it can be submitted.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has already ordered the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the NHS' drugs watchdog, to fast track its assessment of Herceptin.
As soon as Herceptin receives a licence it will be fast-tracked for use throughout the NHS. It is hoped this process would be completed by the summer.
Cancer Tzar Professor Mike Richards has been asked to ensure that the NHS has the facilities needed to test all women with early stage breast cancer.
'Frustration'
Ms Hewitt said: "Herceptin has the potential to save many women's lives and I want to see it in widespread use on the NHS.
"I want the licence for Herceptin to be granted as quickly as possible, without compromising people's safety, and to be available within weeks of the licence being given."
She added: "I share the huge frustration of many women about the delays in getting Herceptin licensed.
"I am determined to take action, and this represents a major step forward in our fight against cancer."
Joanne Rule, Chief Executive of CancerBACUP, said: "This is extremely good news that all women with breast cancer will be tested to see if they are suitable for treatment with Herceptin.
"An automatic right to a HER2 test will allow women to know what their treatment options are so this is an important step in the right direction."
But she added: "We are still, concerned, however, that Herceptin will not be available for women with early breast cancer until 2006.
"The Department of Health must urgently consider making it available to all women who can benefit."
BBC
