Avastin

[Jackie0]

Just read in today's telegraph that as part if NHS budget cuts,Avastin is one if the drugs proposed to be withdrawn from funding.Announcement to be made next week.

Very worrying, wonder if there is an alternative ti this drug?

JO

[Whippit]

I'd also heard that following the review of the NCDF some expensive drugs that showed little effect were to be withdrawn and replaced by other new drugs.

I'm not at all sure it's wrong. Several senior oncologists are suggesting Avastin wasn't all it was cracked up to be by Roche. It's certainly very good for some women but not all. Hopefully the new trials that are hoping to identify which drugs will be effective on individual patients will come up with something hopeful.

As I understand PARP inhibitors are coming into the NCDF within the next six months and they've shown promise with some forms of ovarian cancer.

xx

[Jo-Bo]

Yes, I heard that too, although when I searched on the Web I could only find a list for review in December 2014. I couldn't find a list of the drugs that have been withdrawn . It is interesting what Whippet says as I am on Avastin but when I read about it it seems that the research only shows that it can prolong time between treatments ( chemo) but doesn't show an improvement in life expectancy overall. Ho hum. I wish I didn't have this blasted thing.

[Seachell]

Avastin is what I have been told, lengthens the time of remission!

[Boot1947]

For what it's worth, my Registrar who comes from New Zealand, says they don't use Avastin there and she is quite sceptical about its long-term benefits. But that's just one viewpoint. I have no idea whether remission figures in NZ are worse than hours, but it might be interesting to compare.

Deb

[Boot1947]

Or even 'than ours'!!

[baxbird]

Afternoon ladies, I'm on Avastin and my oncologist has been saying for months now that she thought it wouldn't be around much longer! She has obviously prescribed it for me, but she talks much more positively about parp inhibitors and welcomes all campaigning to push these to the forefront.

I did see in the announcement that those already on the prescribed medicines that are being removed, will still receive the meds, but no new patients will.

Dawn xx

[Hidden]

This report suggests overall life expectancy increases by over 9 months for high risk patients, I.e. those at Stages 3 and 4 and who had 1 cm of residual disease (ICON7 study).

healthunlocked.com/ovacome/...

We don't want options closed down to save money. If PARPS are needed, well let's add them to the list. That's my view.

[thesilent1]

As I have said before, we don't get Avastin in NI, nor do the ladies in Wales. It was never approved by NICE for use in OvCa. My oncologist told me it had very mixed results and for some women it had proved detrimental - her words! I know some of the ladies on her get it and are doing well but others had to be taken off it. One good thing is they are d king lots nof research and hopefully the Parp inhibitors will be good. Ann

[Wiganw]

Hi

I think if you are already on the drug it won't be withdrawn. But will not be available to new patients. It does seem it is one of drugs to be withdrawn. But seem for some types of cancer. I have copied below what it says

Reproductive cancers

Bevacizumab when used to treat some advanced ovarian and Fallopian cancers, and as the first form of attack for peritoneal cancer