EARLY stage breast cancer sufferers in Guernsey are already receiving the controversial Herceptin drug as an aggressive form of treatment. The drug, which targets the HER-2 gene, has been in use for advanced breast cancer patients in the island for two years and has achieved successful results.

The UK watchdog National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence wants Herceptin to be made available to all cancer sufferers under the NHS but fears the drug could cause heart failure.

It is also worried that high costs would mean the drug would not be available to all.

Consultant radiologist at the breast cancer unit Louise Gaunt said that Herceptin had been significantly beneficial in the treatment of patient’s in the early stages of breast cancer.

‘We are very encouraged from what has come out of the most recent studies and are extremely pleased that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK has come out with the advice that they have and that Herceptin is suitable to be used on early breast cancer patients,’ she said.

Herceptin targets the HER-2 gene that is found in 20% of breast cancer patients.

Dr Gaunt said that where it was felt to be appropriate, patients in the early stages of breast cancer were considered for Herceptin following initial diagnosis.

‘In anticipation of increased usage of Herceptin all newly diagnosed breast cancers have been routinely tested for HER-2 status for over a year now, with all decisions to treat being made after discussion by the breast care multi-disciplinary team,’ she said.

The annual cost of Herceptin treatment for the Health and Social Services Department is between £110,000 and £220,000 dependent upon the number of patients recommended for the treatment.

Health minister Peter Roffey said the decision to introduce Herceptin for breast cancer patients in Guernsey was made because of its proven positive effect on certain types of the disease.

‘There was clear evidence that Herceptin was making a significant difference in some breast cancer cases.

‘It’s clear it was beneficial and a number of other countries in Europe had already adopted its use,’ he said.

Deputy Roffey said that cancer drugs more expensive than Herceptin had been used on patients in the past and he would continue to support its use in the island.

‘Whether money is very tight in the Guernsey Health Service we have always had a policy of providing real life-saving treatments and in the past have approved cancer drugs more expensive than Herceptin,’ he said.