Cancer woman in drugs fight win

Debbie Hurst says she is "overcome" by the news

A breast cancer sufferer from Cornwall is celebrating after winning the right to get the drugs she needs on the NHS.

Debbie Hirst, 56, from Carbis Bay, had been told she would have to raise £60,000 to pay for the Avastin which she believes will prolong her life.

But a special review panel of the Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust has now decided her case is sufficiently urgent.

Mrs Hirst said the call on Friday night was "better than winning the lottery".

'Benefit massively'

Mrs Hirst's cancer has spread to her liver and bones but she was told that if she started taking Avastin privately her free treatment on the NHS, including scans and blood tests, would end.

So she was set to sell her house to pay for her treatment.

"We're just overcome," said the mother of two.

"We didn't expect it. Sadly I had a scan on Tuesday and my oncologist had to tell me that the tumours had grown and spread.

"He believes I would benefit massively from Avastin.

"Thank goodness I had his backing - he's been wonderful all the way."

Rob Pitcher, the medical director at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, said on Friday that if the special review was successful Mrs Hirst's treatment would be entirely funded by the NHS.

Mrs Hirst starts her Avastin treatment next Friday.