Cancer pill ‘gave me four years of extra time’

Linda Kelly, 67, did the advanced breast cancer that spread in her bones and chest wall, but she says that the new birth control pills gave her additional years of life and time to travel with her husband.

“This allows you to have a natural type of life and forget that you have cancer,” she says about the new Capivasertib, which he recommended in England and Wales.

Linda is one of more than 1,000 women with non -healing breast cancer that can benefit from the drug, which can slow down the development of the disease.

It is another possible treatment option for those who suffer from this cancer – but a charity said that breast cancer medications should be approved more quickly.

Linda Bustani is keen on activity by riding a bicycle 60 miles per week as well as Pilates.

She says she has received “wonderful” results from the new drug, which is taken twice daily in the form of a tablet.

The side effects for her were minimal, and she was allowed to go on vacation to New Zealand with her husband Neil last year and plans a trip to the United States this year.

“You feel that the drug works and you can be quieter – it has given me nearly four years than the extra time,” she says.

She says the drug gave her her hope.

“This makes you think about your life, and what you want to do in your life in the future – but at least you feel good enough to put these plans and confident enough to fulfill some of these plans.”

But it is not possible that everyone has the positive results of the drug.

In trials, in 708 women, When associated with hormonal therapyThe drug doubled the time that cancer took to growth, from 3.6 months to 7.3 months, and reduce tumors in 23 % of patients.

“It represents a very effective option that can work for a long time – several months, and in some people it may be years,” said Professor Nick Turner, the main researcher and professor of medical oncology at the Institute of Cancer Research and Marsan Royal.

“It can greatly delay the chemotherapy that many women fear due to side effects,” he added.

“Advanced breast cancer is very treatmentable and we want better and better treatments.”

The drug, approved by the National Institute for Excellence in the field of health and care (NICE), will be funded by the Pharmaceutical Fund for Cancer in England, but funding has not yet been confirmed in Wales.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, as one in seven women was affected in her life and 75 % of the survivors for 10 years or more after diagnosis.

If cancer returns and spreads to other parts of the body, treatments aim to control it, reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Possible treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and drugs that help to stop cancer growth – either by preventing hormones, strengthening the body’s immune system or targeting what makes cancer cells grow.

This new Capivasertib is a targeted treatment. It works in a new way, which prevents the activity of the protein molecule called AKT, which drives the growth of cancer.

Scientists have begun to work on the development of the drug 20 years ago and say it is the most effective cancer drug that they saw for advanced cancer. Astrazneca is the Capivasertib manufacturer.

The drug is suitable for those who suffer from certain genetic mutations that affect up to half of people with positive secondary breast cancer for hormonal receptors – the most common type, which grows in the presence of estrogen.

Professor Peter Johnson, clinical director of cancer at NHS England, said he provides an “additional option” for some cancer provided despite the previous hormonal treatment – but it will not be suitable for everyone.

Claire Rooney, CEO of Charity Prescancy Cancer now, said she is “pleased” because the drug will provide some people “in precious time to do what matters to them more.”

But she said that the patients “faced unnecessary delays to reach them” after the drug was initially rejected by Latif, and breast cancer medications must be approved more quickly for those who need them.

“NHS England now should take quick genetic tests to ensure their qualified receiving Capivasertib without further delay,” she said, adding that Scotland should also consider financing treatment quickly so that patients all over the UK can reach.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 program today, Professor Johnson said that Nice had to work through evidence when approves new NHS drugs, and these discussions included the amount of the cost of the drug.

Professor Johnson said: “We have to make sure that the treatments we bring are good value for money for NHS and come under the cost of the cost that we expect, because it is clear, especially in these difficult times, the money is not abundant and we need to make sure that the price of the drug and the method that is really used is a good value for money for NHS.”

Nice says she has agreed to 24 out of 25 breast cancer remedies that he evaluated over the past seven years.

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