Living with incurable breast cancer is less than living, it’s surviving. Enduring chemotherapy and other drugs with horrendous side-effects means that patients have little quality of life, without even having the hope of going into remission.
However, there is a drug that promises to improve the quality of life for sufferers of incurable breast cancer. Better yet, increase life expectancy by 16 months. Perjeta has been available through the Cancer Drugs Fund since 2013, a service established so people could have access to cancer drugs rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) because they aren’t cost effective. This was the case for Perjeta, which was deemed not available on the NHS because the ‘cost in relation to its health benefits’ was not justifiable.
As a result, only certain patients could have access to Perjeta, where a decision is made by the Cancer Drugs Fund based on the type and stage of cancer, previous treatments and general health. Now, after a lengthy negotiation with the drug provider, a Swiss company called Roche, has reduced the price of Perjeta, allowing Nice to deem is more cost-effective and approve it for use across NHS England.
Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, told The Guardian:
‘While a long time coming, we’re thrilled that tough negotiation and flexibility by NHS England and Nice, and the willingness of Roche to put patients first and compromise on price, has again ensured thousands of women can be given more time to live,’
‘Perjeta is a truly life-changing drug and we are absolutely delighted and relieved that Nice has finally been able to recommend it for routine NHS use in England.’
The concern now, however, is that the drug is only available in England, leaving the rest of the UK without access to the ‘most effective breast cancer drug in years’. Cancer charities are calling for other countries to negotiate a deal with Roche so patients with secondary breast cancer across the UK can receive the same treatment.
Should this be the case, it will continue the string of positive health news in relation to breast cancer so far this year. In the past month, there has been reports of better survival rates for those with the BRCA gene, demands for mass testing to further improve this, and trials beginning for a universal blood test for cancer. This comes in the run up to World Cancer Day on the 4th of February, which will hopefully encourage further donation and in turn greater research to prevent and cure cancer around the world.
Check out the best buys for Breast Cancer Awareness month...
The Best Beauty Buys For Breast Cancer Awareness Month
1 of 8Limited Edition Supersize Skin Bliss Capsules, £99
These handy little capsules are a 2-month supply of antioxidant-rich day and night facial oils to help to improve the visible signs of ageing whilst breaking down skin-clogging toxins. The morning capsule helps nourish and soften skin with Rose Absolute, while the evening capsule is infused with soothing Lavender to help repair and protect skin overnight. £10 of the retail purchase price will go to Breast Cancer Now, but regardless of sales, ELEMIS has pledged to donate a minimum of £33,000 to Breast Cancer Now to take the stand against cancer.
2 of 8Trinny London, Lip 2 Cheek in Sherin, £25
The newest member of the Trinny tribe, and in turn the latest Lip2Cheek shade, is Sherin, and 10% of every sale of the Lip2Cheek shade (and others across the range) will be donated to Sherin's chosen charity, Breast Cancer Now, who supported her on her own personal journey. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Friday 1st October – Sunday 31st October), Trinny London will also be offering one-to-one virtual appointments to those receiving cancer treatment, with the aim of sharing the best products, tips and tricks as their skin adapts to treatment – whether it's increased sensitivity, redness or sparse brows.
3 of 8GHD Gold Hair Straightener in Rose Pink, £149
For another year, GHD are campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking, and are supporting breast cancer charities with their Take Control Now collection, including the GHD gold hair straightener in limited edition rose pink. Expect the brands salon quality, sleek results from with two next-generation heat sensor plates, without extreme heat.
4 of 8Carolina Herrera, Pink October Range, From £15.50
Carolina Herrera have launched not one product, but an entire range, 'A Touch of Love' for Pink October, a new initiative to help support and raise awareness around breast cancer around the world. 10% of the proceeds from the edit (including fragrances and makeup refills) will go to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), which offers free services for patients and families affected by cancer.
5 of 8Scientia, Limited Edition Pure Clarity Targeted Blemish Paste, £16
This year Scientia are launching an exclusive new product in partnership with the Pink Ribbon Foundation, revamped with Limited Edition pink packaging and a special kind of Zinc Oxide to make the formula pink too. The blemish paste not only reduces redness but works to prevent budding blemishes too. But its only available for a limited time, and with 100% of proceeds going to the charity, there's no better reason not to snap this up now.
6 of 8Ann Summers, My Viv Massage Candle Bergamot, £20
With 10% of profits going to Breast Cancer Now, this relaxing lavender and amber candle is the ultimate in self gifting, creating a 'sensual' and relaxing atmosphere for you to enjoy, and helping to contribute towards cancer research and care.
7 of 8Elemental Herbology, Calm & Soothe Collection, £50
Elemental Herbology has partnered with The Pink Ribbon Foundation to create a Limited Edition gift collection, with £5 from each Calm & Soothe Collection kit sold, helping to relieve the needs of people who are suffering from or have been affected by breast cancer. Each gift set contains a Breast Self-Check Guide, Antioxidant Hydration Mist, Neroli & Rose Damask Body Cream and Aromatherapy Candle, designed to calm the mind and soothe the skin with with a gentle blend of rose damask, neroli and chamomile.
8 of 8Kevin Murphy, Plumping Wash, £24
This October, haircare brand KEVIN.MURPHY are standing up to Breast Cancer with their MORE THAN PINK kit. Including the ultra voluminsing Plumping Wash, Plumping Rinse, and Session Spray Flex, for every kit sold, KEVIN.MURPHY will donate £1 to CoppaFeel!,