Cancer Patient in Limbo After Trust Refuses to Fund Treatment

A cancer patient in Kent has slammed health chiefs after a trust refused to fund treatment, which could help increase her lifespan. Suzanne Lloyd, from Deal, had requested for Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) as treatment for her breast cancer. This treatment is thought to be able to reduce the size of the tumors. In rejecting her application, the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust said there were no clear benefits to such therapy.

"The evidence for clinical effectiveness for SIRT for liver metastases following breast cancer is insufficient," the trust said in a statement. "We need to focus our limited resources on treatments where the evidence shows clear benefits."

Ms Lloyd though says experts have told her this treatment could help prolong her life. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.

"The first thing I think about every morning is what can I do to try and get this treatment," Ms Lloyd said. "I shouldn't be doing that. I'm angry, frustrated and they have taken away a lot of my hope and that's one of the worst things." She has received some support from Charlie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover and Deal, who expressed hope that she might receive funding by October.


Source-Medindia