'Let me live a little longer'
A grandfather who has terminal liver cancer has twice been refused a drug which he says could prolong his life.
Mike Rawson, 66, of Howden, was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in February.
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Mike Rawson, of Howden, who has terminal liver cancer, has been refused a drug that could prolong his life
He has been left reeling after NHS East Riding of Yorkshire's exceptional treatments panel twice refused to fund the drug sorafenib, a type of biological therapy available elsewhere in Europe and America.
Mr Rawson, a grandfather of two, said he is devastated by the decision.
"I feel like I have been let down," he said."I was expecting to get accepted. The drug is the only thing I have got to go on. Nothing else will extend my life.
"It is growing inside me and while no one is treating it, it's got to be getting worse."
According to Cancer Research UK, sorafenib was approved in Europe as a treatment for HCC in October 2007.
The charity said one trial has shown sorafenib can help people with liver cancer to live longer when it cannot be treated by surgery.
Mr Rawson said: "I'm fit enough at the moment and it's not too aggressive, but it's terminal and it's just gradually going to get worse.
"I haven't had any treatment whatsoever. I've been told it can't be treated – chemotherapy won't touch it and radiotherapy won't either.
"But rather than just accept it, I might as well go down the road of fighting it."
Mr Rawson contacted David Davis to ask for his support.
The Haltemprice and Howden MP has since written to NHS East Riding of Yorkshire about case.
He said: "My constituents should not face a postcode lottery, which is what this amounts to.
"He should get the treatment.
"We all pay vast amounts of money in to the health service and you would expect people to get given the drugs they need.
"In 2007, there were experiments that showed it worked with a 44 per cent improvement in survival.
"It clearly works and it is therefore just a case of cost effectiveness."
A spokesman for NHS East Riding of Yorkshire said: "We have carefully considered Mr Rawson's case twice through our exceptional treatments panel process.
"Panel members considered the latest appraisal consultation by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the recommendations of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
"Neither of these recommends the use of sorafenib for hepatocellular cancer and panel members did not approve treatment on grounds of clinical and cost effectiveness.
"If there is further clinical information or evidence the panel will always reconsider individual cases."
14 Comments
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by Granter, Aberdeen
Tuesday, July 21 2009, 6:20PM
“What planet is Charles from Cott on? How about showing a bit of compassion to poor Mike's plight. Keep your head in your razzle magazine Charles and stop trying to play with people's emotions. Good luck to Mike in his fight to overturn this ridiulous decision.”
by Glynis Elgey, Market Weighton
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 8:39PM
“Good Luck in your fight for this Drug Mike& I hope you win. This country is eager to throw money down the drain but not in helping it's countrymen to survive & live longer. So keep on fighting the Authorities & go to the top. Once again Good Luck in your quest.”
by philster, hull
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 3:58PM
“what you dont realise charles is the NHS ARE pushing for this drug yet are stuck in a situation that these governing bodies are digging there heels in due to cost.i know this as a fact.ten years ago a similar situation involving a drug for kidney failure wasnt readily available.however after years of effort and pressure it is now and is helping countless people.the NHS is there to help people and ensure quality of life,its as simple as that”
by philster, hull
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 1:13PM
“this drug has been PROVEN successful for individuals,hence why the nhs are pushing for it to be approved.the nhs want to provide this treatment so take your head out the sand and lets hope you are never put in this position.”
by Charles, Cott
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 1:09AM
“philster, hull The NHS is not there to fund false hopes.”
by philster, hull
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 11:53PM
“charles from cott may be right that this drug is yet to be aproved across the board in england but it is aproved in other countries and i DO know that it has been given to some people here and has proved successful.the point is halfwit-nice have not allowed this drug to be approved purely on cost,FACT. what price would you put on a life and those around that person?? this leaves me to conclude that you are a sad individual who can't understand this story purely because you have no family or friends that actually care about you.if your nights consist of researching NHS statitics then i pity you,maybe you should consider reading the newspaper and understand peoples feelings before you leave comments that can effect and upset real people,but then again if your only relationship is with your blow u doll lusty linda in the back bedroom i accept you have no concept of peoples feelings.think hard when you leave comments,we all have opinions but surely some are best kept to ourselves,its called TACT AND RESPECT.id like to think we could discuss this in person one day but i feel that you obviously dont interact with real people and i could not tear you away from your weekly night with your copy of razzle and a box of tissues”
by Charles, Cott
Tuesday, July 07 2009, 1:06AM
“Typical comments from the uneducated and ill informed brigade who wouldn't know a clinical decision from a hole in their anus.
Mr Davis's comments about postcode lottery are just plain wrong, this drug is not on offer anywhere under the NHS, NICE have not approved it ; it is not available full stop. If you want it; go buy it yourself. You'll be wasting your money but that's your choice. At least you won't be wasting NHS money.”
by Pete East Hull, Hull
Monday, July 06 2009, 9:33PM
“People being denied cancer drugs because of cost ,but over 9billlion is spent on foreign aid.India with its nuclear weapons and space program is a recipient of foreign aid.The inmates have taken over the asylum.”
by chris, east yorkshire
Monday, July 06 2009, 5:53PM
“the n.h.s. paid quarter of a million on a yacht, and more money to run it, but they can't afford drugs for people who need treatment.
as I said at the time let the chairman of the n.h.s. trust buy the yacht out of his big salary”
by Bimty, Right here
Monday, July 06 2009, 1:59PM
“This story breaks my heart. It's disgusting what our MPs can do with our money (expense claims) and the NHS can throw money at unruly teens to have a jolly on a boat whilst decent, hardworking people are dying. I truly hope this gentleman gets the help he needs or else this government should be ashamed and the NHS is a joke. This man must have contriubted NI all his working life and yet the NHS can find money for gastric band surgery and such like for people who bring it on themselves. Disgraceful”