What do you think of the government's decision to extend access to a breast cancer drug?

Herceptin is currently licensed for use by those with advanced cancer but is also thought to be effective for treating early stages of the disease.

Now women with the early stages of breast cancer are to be tested to see if they too can benefit from the treatment.

It comes after former nurse Barbara Clark won her battle earlier this week to be given Herceptin.

What do you think of the government's decision? Are you affected?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

I think it's a great idea especially if it's proven that women in the early stages will benefit. Better than going through chemotherapy and radiation which kills so many good cells.
Heather, London, England

Much more urgent is the screening for breast cancer for those in their thirties. Currently, the NHS won't do it.
David, Halesowen, England

It would be a wonderful country indeed if every person could receive - free - the 'miracle' drug that would cure them. Unfortunately this is reality, not fantasy. The NHS is already in severe dire straights, yet some people seem to think it can pay for all the fancy new treatments and tests invented - where do people think the money will come from to pay for all these things?
Karen, Eastbourne, UK

If this drug works, then let's have it Sue Land, Hong Kong

I am being treated for BC for the second time in two years and I am HER2 positive. I am currently being treated with Herceptin where I live in Hong Kong. I am due to go back to the UK in early February and hope that I will be covered by the NHS for the continuation of the treatment. If this drug works, then let's have it, so we can all get back to our normal lives.
Sue Land, Hong Kong

I happen to have a few decades of experience in treating BC patients which is an extraordinarily complex issue. Doctors (both in everyday routine and in policy making) face the cost vs benefit dilemma. It is especially difficult to arrive at a wise decision if the drug/treatment is expensive or has major side effects. Research is going on with Herceptin as well however it shall take quite some more time to get level one evidence on its real value. I find it very controversial to publicise the issue on a rather emotional than scientific way. There is a risk that pressure through public opinion drains valuable resources to fund questionable value treatments.
Dr S, Chennai India

I lost my Mother to breast cancer nearly 2 years ago. I was diagnosed with HER2 Breast cancer myself this year, I am 37, I have done everything possible to save my life; double mastectomy, Chemotherapy & radiation. My Consultant says that I have reduced my risk of the cancer coming back to 1 in 4 but if I have Herceptin the risk is reduced to 1 in 8. I don't want to take any chances so my friends and family and I are going to have to raise the money. This is good news for many but not for the likes of me because we need the drug NOW! Next year may well be too late. I am a single parent, I don't want my son to lose his mother like I did.
Janine McDonald, London, UK

I think that this is a great test. There are so many people who are affected with breast cancer annually. The statistics are really disturbing. If such a drug has the potential to treat both advanced and early stages of cancer, then I don't see the harm in testing it out. It could save millions of women's lives and that should be the priority on the minds of the majority....at least I hope so.
Hassan Amidhozour, Tehran, Iran

Four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 2 Breast Cancer and told I had a 60% chance of survival. Devastating news that turned my life upside down - I have two girls who as they grow from pre teen to teenager to women need me more and more. All my other ambitions flew out of the window - when faced with the reality of losing life all that really mattered was to be there for them, to provide the security, support, laughter and love they will need.
Of course the government should be ensuring women get the treatment that will reduce the misery caused by this disease - it should not have taken Barbara Clark's determination and sacrifice to make them realise that. But there is so much more to be achieved.
Julie, London UK

This drug should be freely available to any woman who needs it Katie, Armagh

There is no limit to how much one life is worth - this drug should be freely available to any woman who needs it. After all they're our mothers, daughters and sisters!
Katie, Armagh

It seems unthinkable to me that it has not been more widely available since it first came out over five years ago. Refusing a drug on the grounds of cost is a terrible dilemma forced on the medical profession by politics and our unwillingness as a nation to spend money on our own health.
Max Blinkhorn, Edinburgh, UK

I have had breast cancer and so can understand how much Herceptin gives hope to many, particularly if they have the aggressive type of cancer that Herceptin can target. Yes, it is expensive but the younger women who will benefit will repay by being able to bring up their children and further contribute to society.
Judith, Huntingdon UK

I am glad that the media are finally reporting the fact that Herceptin is only suitable for a subset of cases. For those women it should be of great benefit. For the rest it is unlikely to help. If this high profile case has enabled women to access treatment that can help them that's wonderful, but the media need to be more responsible in their reporting on such emotive issues. Herceptin cannot help everyone and I hope no-one was given false hope by recent reporting.
Kate, UK

Herceptin is a very expensive drug Ed, Huntingdon, UK

The NHS has a finite amount of money. In an ideal world it would have limitless pots of cash but it doesn't. Herceptin is a very expensive drug. Spending money on this drug deprives patients with other diseases of treatments that may be more cost effective.
Ed, Huntingdon, UK

Hey Ed It isn't just women who get breast cancer - consider how you would feel personally if it was you involved or would you routinely refuse medical treatment on the grounds its too expensive and the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Pat, London

My girlfriend is currently undergoing treatment for BC, this won't affect her as the test came back negative. There is a feeling amongst medical staff that Herceptin is being pushed hard by the makers of the drug without proper trials of all the benefits and side effects for early stage BC.
Joe, Dudley, West Midlands

Of course all women with breast cancer should have access to Herceptin if it will be beneficial to them. Why should women have to wait until they are in late stages to receive a drug which will potentially save their lives? Too many people already lose their lives due to postcode lotteries as far as drugs are concerned.
Amanda, Cambs

Of course women should be tested in the early stages of breast cancer and given Herceptin if the test shows that they will benefit. I had breast cancer 8 years ago at the age of 43 when my daughter was 2. I have made a good recovery and now work in public service, my daughter is thriving, I run a toddler club and help at my daughter's school. In other words keeping me, and women like me alive and well is benefiting the country more than the NHS funds that would have been saved could.
Cam, Essex/East London