NHS accused of denying women lifesaving breast cancer drug

Additionally, if bisphosphonates are administered routinely to all women eligible in the United Kingdom, an additional 1,180 breast cancer deaths could be prevented each year.

Called ‘Bisphosphonates’, these are a low-priced drug normally used to strengthen the bones in the treatment of osteoporosis, but could prevent one in ten breast cancer deaths.

Breast Cancer Now says 3 out of 4 breast cancer oncologists are unable to prescribe bisphosphonates because of a lack of guidance from the NHS on how they should be used.

But the drug was shown by meta-analyses in July 2015 to be also effective at reducing the likelihood of breast cancer spreading in the body, where it becomes harder to treat.

A study found that postmenopausal women taking the 43p drug saw a 28% reduction in the chances of their cancer coming back.

“Women’s lives are needlessly being put at risk”, said Chief Executive Baroness Delyth Morgan.

David Warburton, MP for Somerton and Frome, has shown support for women affected by breast cancer by dressing up in pink and encouraging constituents to take part in the UK’s biggest, brightest and pinkest fundraiser, “wear it pink”, on Friday 21st October.

Breast Cancer Now says 17% of oncologists said they had partially implemented the treatment, while 59% said they had not been able to offer it to their patients, with funding issues cited as the main barrier. The drugs cut the risk of dying from the disease during the ten years following diagnosis by 18 per cent.

The drug is “off-patent” which means it can be produced cheaply – but is still sitting on the shelf because of confusion over who should cough up for it. Hospital trusts, local commissioning groups and central NHS management are not exactly rushing to resolve the stand-off.

“These are cheap and widely available drugs, and the overwhelming evidence of their ability to save lives should have changed practice by now”, she said.

Across both treatments, the full cost with consultant time and monitoring of side effects is 43p a day on average.

A lifesaving and low-cost breast cancer drug is being denied to thousands of patients, claims a leading charity.

“It should be an absolute priority for every clinician and commissioner involved in the provision of breast cancer services to ensure this simple and safe treatment is made available, as a matter of urgency”.

Three quarters of United Kingdom breast cancer specialists said they were unable to prescribe it because of confusion over who should fund it, a survey found.

“Not only can these save lives but they would reduce needless expenditure on unnecessary tests and the ever-increasing costs of treating women with secondary breast cancer”, said Professor Rob Coleman of the South Yorkshire Cancer Strategy Group. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.

But it said their use would be considered by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in upcoming guidance.