In an act of civil disobedience, Jayne Sullivan is staging a one-woman protest at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay, Wales, until her government agrees to end the postcard lottery of medical care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Currently, her government has refused to grant women with early-stage breast cancer access to the drug Herceptin. Herceptin, once only prescribed for women diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, is now recommended in most countries for women with early-stage breast cancer. In some parts of Wales, health providers have been prescribing Herceptin to women with early-stage breast cancer, even though it is not officially a permitted protocol in Wales. Herceptin is not without its critics, as the drug may cause serious heart problems and heart failure in some women. Sullivan sits alone in the foyer, determined not to leave, determined to be heard, determined to affect a positive change in the present policy of health care and drug administration for all women of Wales. Sullivan was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Civil disobedience for breast cancer drug
In an act of civil disobedience, Jayne Sullivan is staging a one-woman protest at the National Assembly in Cardiff Bay, Wales, until her government agrees to end the postcard lottery of medical care for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Currently, her government has refused to grant women with early-stage breast cancer access to the drug Herceptin. Herceptin, once only prescribed for women diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, is now recommended in most countries for women with early-stage breast cancer. In some parts of Wales, health providers have been prescribing Herceptin to women with early-stage breast cancer, even though it is not officially a permitted protocol in Wales. Herceptin is not without its critics, as the drug may cause serious heart problems and heart failure in some women. Sullivan sits alone in the foyer, determined not to leave, determined to be heard, determined to affect a positive change in the present policy of health care and drug administration for all women of Wales. Sullivan was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. This is what happens when your government takes over healthcare. Decisions are not made on a case by case basis but on a population/cost basis. My wife is on herceptin for early stage breast cancer and I know it will reduce her risk of recurrence by almost 50%. If we lived in Britian, she would be just like this patient. Boy am I glad I live in the USA!
Posted at 11:22AM on Feb 6th 2006 by Patrick Watterson PA-C
1. Having read some of the material and worked out the amount of herceptin required (4mg for the initial treatment, and 2mg/week therafter). This makes a total of only 106 mg per year of herceptin, per person. I am very surprised that the authorities can claim the high cost of treatment. Even considering the cost of hospitalising each patient. Maybe we should get rid of a few Fat Cats instead.
Posted at 4:13AM on Feb 6th 2006 by Margaret Burn