Amanda d'Argue claims the real issue is the cost of the drug

Amanda d'Argue, 39, of Bolton, Greater Manchester, believes the drug could help her prevent the disease returning.

But her primary care trust said it was not licensed for use on sufferers in the early stages of cancer.

Ms d'Argue, who has two children aged six and seven, said she believed the real issue was cost.

She said: "It is an NHS lottery and it always will be and however they dress it up the bottom line is it's about money.

'Doesn't come back'

"My children Jessica and Thomas have been absolutely fantastic. They're six and seven and they're taking mummy being poorly in their stride.

"I have to have everything that I possibly can to make sure that this doesn't come back again."

Ms d'Argue was diagnosed with breast cancer in July and has since had a mastectomy, undergone chemotherapy and faces 15 radiotherapy sessions.

Bolton Primary Care Trust said it would not approve the drug until it was certain it was safe.

Herceptin is already used on people in the advanced stages of breast cancer and can cost �30,000 a year.

Trials are being carried out to assess its benefits and possible side effects when used on women in the earlier stages of the disease.