London interim cancer drugs fund

Whilst this is a start, and without it I would have had little or no hope, it will not last long when divided up amongst all of the different regions. I did an interview on the One Show yesterday which will be screened on 26th October to hopefully further raise awareness of the 'fund' and of Bowel Cancer, which is seldom seen or heard on national TV.

I hope that lot's more people will be applying to this Fund and will be given hope like I have. I start treatment next month and will let you all know how it goes. Again no hair for Christmas, but at least my friends know I'll appreciate a wooly hat Heather x.

I'm so pleased that you have been successful. I was under the impression that they were going to insist that the Drugs Fund would only consider applications from people who had been turned down by their local PCT, so this is very encouraging news. I hope the Fund eventually extends to treatments.

I recently had Cyberknife treatment, and it was paid for by a Charity, because my local PCT do not fund Cyberknife yet. I think no one really knew how it would pan out.

My oncologist had originally said my PCT was going to make requests for first line treatments only. My understanding has always been that it was for anyone whose hospital doctor believes they would benefit from whichever drug. I'm glad I requested it, and also glad I have an oncologist who listens to me and whom I know will do her best for me.

I start treatment mid Nov as I wanted a break to prepare myself for the chemo that goes with the Avastin. Will post to let you know how I get on. I have also requested Avastin next time round or whatever, and although she doesnt seem to think that its any better than the drugs already available, she has noted my request and we'll see what happens.

Hi Sue, I've only just seen your comments. I've had 3 cycles so far, and it has been fairly radical. I'm having Avastin with Irenotecan and 5fu. I've been really tired between treatments, but that could just be due to this being my 4th type of chemo.

Everyone says it gets harder the longer it goes on. But it's bearable. I can cope with feeling tired. My next scan is due mid feb, so I'll know have a good idea of whether it's working then and will let you know. Going by results from the rest of Europe, Avastin gets the best results the earlier you have it.

So if you've just been diagnosed, it has more of a chance of working. But who knows. I'll keep you updated I was dagnosed in march , had 5FU then for 6 months, but unfortunately in May this year, it had gone to lymph glands. Finished 3 weeks ago, Oxyplatin and capectiban.

Going for CT scan today fingers crossed and then wait to see Oncologist on 27th Jan for results and what comes next! As I said, she is aware of my request for Avastin, so hopefully that will be next.

Not that we want it, but we'll do anything wont we? As I said earlier I am delighted that someone has benefitted from this fund, but I don't think others will be quite as lucky. I would like to tell people about an NHS Cancer Network meeting I attended on Saturday the Cancer Network helps shape cancer services in local areas , and we were asked to give our view on a range of options for administering the Interim Drugs fund.

I have to say the range of options were very prescriptive - i. Nowhere were we asked to consider that it should be up to a patients medical team. In my view this defeats the spirit of the fund which was to escape bureaucracy.

For anyone interested, today is the last day of the formal consultation on the use of the Cancer Drug Fund. You can change your cookie settings at any time. A letter detailing arrangements for the interim cancer drug fund announced on 27th July. Download Interim cancer drugs funding, letter from…. PDF , If you use assistive technology such as a screen reader and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications dhsc. Please tell us what format you need.

It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use. Check what you need to do. To help us improve GOV. We use this information to improve our site.

Let us know if this is OK. You can read more about our cookies before you choose. Change my preferences I'm OK with analytics cookies. On 29 July , a new approach to the appraisal and funding of cancer drugs in England began operating.

This usually involves the collection of additional data, during a managed access period when patients are able to access the treatment. The additional data helps NICE to decide whether a new treatment should be routinely funded.