Avastin

[Rosehannah7]

Hi Has anyone been prescribed Avastin on the NHS? I'm paying 30000 a year for it and I don't understand why I have to pay I was diagnosed with peritoneal / tube cancer in 2021 stage 3c

[carrotmunch5]

Hi Rosehannah7.According to my oncologist, Avastin isn't funded by NHS. I heard it is expensive drug. But I know some ladies on here are on Avastin whether they are funded by a drug company, I don't know. I did ask my oncologist, if I took chemo option, if I could have it, he said not funded by NHS.... Boo! I thought that might help me as my cancer is platinum resistant.

I am sure you'll get some ladies answer your question 🙏💕

[JacciJones in reply to carrotmunch5]

I take it but like you it’s supplied on prescription privately. Having cancer is definitely a full time job that cost us in more ways than one 😱

[carrotmunch5 in reply to JacciJones]

I agree. It is a full time work with appointments etc. I don't drive, so I spend lots of money on public transport. My hospital is a few hours away from where I live. 😅

[Caleda4]

Hi, As I understand it. You could have avastin at the end of first line treatment only on nhs but should you get a further recurrence,then you have to pay. I was told after 2nd recurrence that it would cost around £1700 a month. I hope it works for you. x

[win_56 in reply to Caleda4]

That's my understanding too x

[Morini]

I had 18 Avastin funded by NHS from early 2022 to early 2023. Diagnosed 4a in June 2021, the Avastin had to start with chemo to qualify so I had it with the last 2 and 16 on their own afterwards. Tumour analysis took too long and I missed the cut off to qualufy for a parp though.

[Lochawe]

i also had 18 on nhs, 6 with my chemo sessions and 12 after…

[Alentejo]

Hello, I was told you can have it through the NHS only if it follow the first line of treatment. Not afterwards. I didn't realise it was so expensive. I expect all these drugs are.

[meadowgirl]

Hi. I was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 3B HGS and was given Avastin with every round of chemo and 3 weekly thereafter, for a year, along with Olaparib, when I had a recurrence. The funding came from the Cancer Drug Fund and I didn’t pay for any of it. You could look that up as I don’t know if that fund is still available . One of the nurse advisors at Ovacome will probably know. Why don’t you give them a call x

[RoseMS]

it is recommended now by NICE after first line treatment together with a PARP. I requested it with my chemo (first line) in 2020 but the oncologist said I didnt qualify for it as I was stage 3, not stage 4. This I found later on to be untrue! I wasnt given it but did qualify after regular chemo for a PARP and am doing well.

I have read somewhere that as it is now ‘out of license’ there are much cheaper versions of the drug. Good luck with it all.

[candyapplegrey]

I would be interested to know whether it is available in some areas and not others. Where do you live, Rosehannah? I have found that treatment protocol is different in different parts of London even. I'm appalled that you're being asked to pay for a cancer drug when the NHS spends so much money elsewhere. And I have to ask in the style of Ali G: 'Is it because we is women?' If there are cheaper versions, shouldn't the NHS source them?

[Beaver54]

Hi Rosehannah7. I had Avastin alongside Carbo/Taxol for 6 infusions. I’m due to start Avastin again, together with Olaparib in the new year. I’m not paying anything and I’ve not been told how long it will be for, a question I must ask.

Wishing you well xx

[N-A-58]

my understanding is stage 3/4 is allowed but if you have optimal debulking surgery you can’t have it. So if tumours over 1cm are left you can have it. We are in Hertfordshire. This is only allowed on 1st line treatment.

Apparently in Scotland is allowed on recurrence.

[Motiva]

Hello Rosehannah,

I am lucky to receive it. Your advanced stage would qualify you but I think your diagnosis date precedes the time it was available for new patients. It is funded from a central fund not the hospital trust you are under. Worth asking could an applications be made through the Central Drugs Fund. It is online via the oncologist. It is also now out of patent so it will be available to the NHS from another pharma company when it is added to the approved drugs list and this will reduce the price. At that point is made be offered to additional patients. As time is critical this may not help you initially but it should create additional access opportunities.

Keep asking and 🤞.

F x

[Tealgirl7]

I am involved in a study where I take Niraparib and Avastin. It has been approved for patients after first line therapy but I did not qualify as I have had several chemo regimens I have had five treatments so far and everything seems good. I have a slight increase in my CA 125. My numbers regarding that had been all all over the map for years. It is worrisome but I'm trying to go beyond it. The avastin seems to have small side effects compared to the parp inhibitor. Wishing the best for everyone