CAMPAIGNERS have called for the national roll-out of life-prolonging drugs after Scotland became the first part of the UK to approve a new treatment on the NHS for women with incurable ovarian cancer.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has given the go ahead for the drug Avastin to be used to help patients whose disease is at an advanced stage.

Both doctors and patients' groups had urged the SMC to make the drug, which has been shown to increase the time people live without their disease worsening, available on the NHS.

The decision means that Scotland is the first part of the UK where ovarian cancer sufferers will have routine access to the treatment, which works by starving tumours of their blood supply.

But whole welcoming the news, the charity Target Ovarian Cancer, which put together a case it said the SMC and the drug company could not ignore, wants its use extended. 

Annwen Jones, chief executive for Target Ovarian Cancer, said: “We firmly believe that every woman with ovarian cancer should have access to life prolonging drugs, no matter where they live in the UK, and we will continue to fight for fair access to drugs. 

"Even though this is positive news, there is still a lot more work to end the cancer drug disparity between the nations.”

Approximately 7000 women in the UK are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, including about 615 in Scotland.

It is often not diagnosed until a late stage, after the cancer has spread, with survival rates in the UK the worst in Europe.

The treatment is the first new medicine developed for women with advanced ovarian cancer for 10 years.

Professor Nick Reed, consultant clinical oncologist at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow, said: "Ovarian cancer is a relapsing and remitting disease and, in its advanced form, is associated with a poor quality of life and outlook.

"Avastin, when given as a front-line treatment, can help to delay the recurrence of the cancer and marks a much needed significant step forward in the treatment of ovarian cancer in Scotland.

"It's encouraging to see that the Pace (Patient And Clinician Engagement) process has allowed Scottish patients to access this treatment on the NHS."
Christine Mitchell, a teacher from Ardross in the Highlands, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2013. said: 

The 56-year-old had been on holiday in Wales when she first became ill. 

She said: "I felt incredibly tired, very bloated and was off my food. I went to a GP, expecting him to diagnose constipation. He told me to stop the holiday and go home immediately to see my GP and have tests. I was very lucky. I had surgery and then chemotherapy, and right now I’m doing well. 

She added: “It is really positive news that more women with ovarian cancer in Scotland are going to be able to access Avastin. However, I think it’s important to remember that ovarian cancer doesn’t recognise borders, and while women living in Scotland and England can now benefit from Avastin, women in Wales and Northern Ireland are excluded. 

"All women should be able to access the best healthcare and have the best chance of surviving ovarian cancer, regardless of where they live.” 

Richard Erwin, managing director of the drug manufacturer Roche UK, said: "This is really good news for patients with ovarian cancer in Scotland. The flexibility demonstrated by the SMC has ensured sustainable access for patients in Scotland."