I AM a breast cancer patient. The treatment I needed has been provided by charity money. The money was raised by another patient with cancer.

I live in an area where my health authority would not pay for it. Ironically, I had just moved from an area where I would have been able to have the drug, Taxotere, on the NHS, so I am classic example of 'postcode prescribing.'

There are many like me, relying on health insurance, savings, or special appeals. And others are not even told by their consultant that there are drugs that may help them because the treatment would not be funded.

The Campaign for Effective and Ration Treatment (CERT), supported by many cancer doctors across the country, published a report earlier this year estimating that a further £170million for licensed cancer drugs could help 47,000 cancer patients like me. That money will still leave Britain spending less than many other countries, so it's not an unreasonable amount to ask.

If you are a cancer patient (or a relative) and have not been able to receive through the NHS the drug your doctor thinks is best for you, please contact CERT and let us know the details.

LESLEY MARTIN, Campaign for Effective and Rational Treatment, PO Box 22093, London SW2 4WS. E mail - admin@cert-uk.com

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