Avastin

Hello Ladies - Is Avastin now available on the NHS also if recommended do health insurance companies cover the cost? Many Thanks for any help Lyn xx

[coksd]

Hi Lyn I am not sure in the UK I read other posts that it depends on the stage of the cancer but things change all the time, I live in Ireland and was on it with frontline chemotherapy for 6 sessions and have had 3 on its own I was told I will stay on it until disease progression. Hope you get on it xx Warm wishes Clare xx

[Hidden in reply to coksd]

Thanks Clare Glad to hear its available and working for you. Lyn xx

[Irisisme]

Hi Lyn,

I had it in the uk in 2017 and it was first line only with chemo and funded by the Drug Fund, not NHS. Your Oncologist has to apply for it for you.

Iris xx

[Hidden in reply to Irisisme]

Hello Iris - sorry new to all this, what is first line only?

[Seasun36-uk in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lyn, it means first lot of treatment from diagnosis.

I was diagnosed with HIgh Grade Serous, Stage 4. I have had 16 out of a total of 18 doses of Avastin. The NHS offers 18 doses. It is a good drug but doesn’t work for everyone & many people have side effects (I do).

My CA125 is ok & no symptoms so in ‘remission’. Linda x

[Hidden in reply to Seasun36-uk]

hello Linda - I am also HIgh Grade Serous, Stage 4. Did you have the big op? not sure they are going to offer me it? I have had two lots of chemo, one to go then my "case" is reviewed, scary not knowing what it going to happen, but I have read good reviews re Avastin for advanced OC so would like to get as much info as poss. I am over the moon that you are in remission - gives me much needed hope!

Lyn xx

[Seasun36-uk in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lyn, I can’t believe it when I say it (remission).

Yes I had 3 chemos, big Op, 3 chemos...then continued with the Avastin (which had been added into chemos number 1,2,5 & 6).

Do ask your team about it Lyn. Best of wishes, Linda xx

[Irisisme in reply to Seasun36-uk]

Thanks for responding re 1st line xx

[Yoshbosh]

Hi Lyn,

The NICE guidelines for Avastin are a bit complicated, but as you were diagnosed at Stage4 you should definitely ask your oncologist, and push for it. You can google the guidelines quite easily to double check.

As for will private insurance pay for it, it depends on the insurance company and type of insurance cover you have, but they should fund it. Again, you’d have to check with the insurer to see what they’d say.

In the first instance (unless the NICE guidelines have changed), I’d ask your oncologist via the NHS route.

Good luck with it!

Vicki x

[chatt2]

Hi Lyn I had stage 4 high grade serous, I am on my 15th out of 18 Avastin I have been in remission for 13 months. Had a scan three weeks ago and I am still clear I had Avastin on the NHS but if I want more than the 18 I will have to pay for it ,it may be a post code lottery for funding but my health authority fund it, hope you are a suitable candidate for it and it works for you as it has for me take care Sandra x

[Hidden in reply to chatt2]

Hello Sandra - Remission!! what fantastic news long may yours continue! Its early days for me but I need something to cling to and you have certainly given me that. Thank you Lyn xx

[Lily-Anne]

Avastin is available on NHS for frontline which is what the licence covers. I think it can be given with a chemo as combination if you are expected to live more than 9 months (?) nice guidelines

Originally was available for recurrence and oncologists were reserving it as an option then the goal posts moved. Target the OC charity went to the government to say people like me who missed the opportunity because the oncologist chose to reserve it for treatment at a later date should be funded. This was refused.

I have to pay for mine. I had to self fund with crowd funding which I found very difficult. I raised enough for 2.5 doses and family stepped in to make it 3. I’m due a dose on Thursday and hope this is a positive drug.

It’s funded in Scotland for recurrence

Worth reading up on it with CDF

LA xx

[Hidden in reply to Lily-Anne]

Hello Lily-Anne - what rotten luck, we really shouldn't have to go through all the added stress of self funding, I am glad your family were in a position to help. Good luck with your continued treatment, on wards and upwards stay strong.

Lyn xx

[Irisisme]

Hi again,

I should have added to my post that I was kept on it after my first chemo treatment had ended and I am convinced it controlled the remaining cancer for nearly a year. I didn’t have too many side effects, I had minor nose bleeds often but not much else ( I did have joint pains but was then diagnosed with osteoarthritis which I might have had without cancer and treatment).

There is a lot of info out there and I hope you can find what you need.

Sending you hugs,

Iris xx

[Shazwooly]

I have stage 3 OC and had the the op just after diagnosis. I then was treated with carbo/taxol and avastin every 3 weeks for six rounds and then continued with avastin. I'm due to have my last round (18th) next week. My CA125 levels are very low, the first reading pre op were 2270 so I'm hopeful that this 1st Line has done the trick!!

Good luck Lyn

[Hidden in reply to Shazwooly]

Hello Shazwooly -Thank you I am hoping to have the op after my 3rd round of chemo but have been told it will depend if the tumors have shrunk, I will continue on chemo if not and hopefully Avastin, which I hope is working for you! Good Luck Lyn xx