Life-extending cervical cancer drug to be offered by NHS in England

New recommendations say life-extending drug for advanced cervical cancer Pembrolizumab, is to be made available to NHS patients in England.

The cost of the immunotherapy will be met by the Cancer Drugs Fund, which aims to make promising treatments available earlier while data is still being gathered on cost-effectiveness.

According to Cancer Research UK, around 2,600 women are currently diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in England, many of whom are in their early 30s.

The same drug is already used to treat several other advanced cancers, including bowel, lung, breast and skin.  When given alongside chemotherapy, it helps the body’s immune system to seek out and destroy the cancerous cells.

Samantha Dixon of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said “Treatments are far too limited for those living with advanced cervical cancer and this provides patients with valuable options, hope and most importantly time.

“Cervical cancer affects women of all ages, many are young.  They have families, children, jobs, caring responsibilities.

“Pembrolizumab can slow the progression of cervical cancer and the impact of this on those who are eligible for the treatment cannot be understated.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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