Herceptin could drastically improve survival rates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The breast cancer drug Herceptin could cut the number of mastectomies and extend lives among the 44,000 breast cancer patients diagnosed in Britain each year.
Researchers told the European Cancer Conference in Barcelona yesterday that use of the drug in women with inflammatory breast cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease, led to the disappearance of the tumour in more than half of patients when combined with chemotherapy.
Among women treated with chemotherapy alone, the tumour disappeared in fewer than one in five.
The results could mean a big reduction in mastectomies and an improvement in the survival rate, they said. Inflammatory breast cancer only accounts for 2 per cent of all breast cancer cases, but the proportion is growing and the disease is especially severe.
Herceptin is only suitable for patients with HER2-positive hormone-sensitive cancer, about a quarter of all those affected. Of 228 patients with HER2-positive disease, 61 had inflammatory breast cancer and 31 were given Herceptin.
Hugh Bishop, consultant breast surgeon at the Royal Bolton Hospital and president of the Association of Breast Surgery, said every woman should be tested to determine if she was suitable for treatment with Herceptin, and consideration should be given to prescribing her the drug.
In earlier research presented to the conference, doctors said use of Herceptin in women with advanced breast cancer extended average survival by two thirds, from 16.8 months to 27.8 months.
Herceptin hit the headlines last year after a series of court cases by women who tried to compel their health trusts to meet the £20,000 a year cost of the drug before it had been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Nice recommended its use in certain patients with early breast cancer last year, having previously recommended it only in advanced cases.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments