IT IS devastating to hear Kadcyla – a crucial life-extending treatment for women with incurable secondary breast cancer – faces being withdrawn from the NHS, following the failure of NICE and the drug’s manufacturer, Roche, to reach an agreement.

I have primary breast cancer at the moment. I’m just 28 years old. My breast cancer is HER2 positive, which means if my cancer returns, Kadcyla would be one of my drug options. It could extend my life, but not if it’s withdrawn from the NHS.

It is being used by women in my support group now. It’s extending their lives. Imagine having this taken away from them?

Kadcyla can offer patients precious extra months – even years – of good quality time with their loved ones, with fewer side effects than other treatments. Unless NICE’s draft decision is overturned next month, this fantastic medical advance will bypass patients in England forever.

That’s why I’ve backed Breast Cancer Now’s campaign to #KeepKadcyla, which calls on NICE and Roche to urgently reach a deal to ensure patients in England are not denied this very effective treatment. There is very little time left for this decision to be reversed and I urge NICE and Roche to do everything in their power to keep this drug available.

Kirsty Brade Silsden