Press Article about Access to Bevacizumab (Avastin) in Wales

[Whippit]

The Western Mail ran an article today on access to Bevacizumab (Avastin) in Wales and my move to England to obtain the drug.

For anyone who's interested here's the online version: walesonline.co.uk/news/wale...

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Absolutely brilliant Annie. I really hope there'll be an open review about access now. Love Tina x x

[Zannah]

Hi Annie, it's a really good article. Well done on keeping the battle in the spotlight xxx

[Langstonelady]

Thank you for sharing this with us, as you know this is all new to me I would never have known this was an option. Good for you x x

[Whippit in reply to Langstonelady]

Dear Langstone Lady - I'll PM you my mobile number because it's quite a complex subject. Not every woman is suitable for Avastin and I can give you some information on this - though obviously you'd need to discuss with your oncologist. xxx love Annie

[ginger69]

Awesome Annie, well done! By the way love the picture!

xx Janette

[Whippit in reply to ginger69]

Thanks Janette, hopefully notice will be taken. xxx love Annie

[Katmal-UK]

Well done Annie for keeping this in the spotlight. I had Avastin on the Icon7 trial and was fortunate enough to have a four and a half year remission. I hope your treatment goes well. I have to say that when I was on Avastin alone I actually had no side effects and only took off work the day that the drug adminstered.

Best Wishes

Kathy

[Whippit in reply to Katmal-UK]

Dear Kathy, thanks so much for your encouraging post. I've completed my first cycle of Gem/Carbo and Avastin and no ill-effects that remain in the mind. I've been drinking a lot of water on the advice of the chemo nurse. Perhaps that's helping. It would be wonderful to have a long remission on Avastin. The hospital said this combination doesn't generally have much in the way of side-effects but of course everyone is different and some women have a terrible time of it.

Long live remission! Sending loads of love xxx Annie

[Izzystep]

Lovely picture Annie, when we meet I will know who to look out for. Good reading, keep it up, need all the advertising we can get so everyone can access the drugs they need. Keep well my chemo buddy xxxxxxx

[Whippit in reply to Izzystep]

Thanks for the encouragement Izzystep. The wave of publicity in Wales was started off by Chris (Darragh) who watched the previous series of The Wales Report and asked if they'd look at Cancer Services in Wales. Jean joined us to demonstrate the inequality of access to cancer drugs and we've had the full support of hospitals, oncologists, etc. One thing led to another and then the front page on the South Wales paper and the Western Mail the other day.

There's no awareness-raising campaign for ovarian cancer in Wales. I think there has been enough media interest recently for it to be on people's minds and hopefully take the initiative to find out about the symptoms.

Let's hope we do meet up soon chemo-buddy. Water theory seems to have worked this weekend. Will explain when we speak ! lol

xxx Annie