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Dying father wins last hope treatment bid
By Kate Lahive A FATHER with incurable cancer has been given the best Christmas present ever – the chance to live longer and spend more time with his teenage son.
Kevin Feltham, aged 44, was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer four years ago. Now his only hope of extending his life is to receive an experimental drug.
Doctors at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield recommended that Kevin be given Erbitux, a drug that encourages his body to fight the cancer which has moved into his liver and lungs.
He was turned down twice for funding by Derbyshire County NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) bosses to receive the experimental medication which costs up to 12,000.
But his third appeal has succeeded and the trust says it will now fund the treatment.
Kevin's son Ben, aged 17, who lives with him in Bolsover, is due to have an operation of his own in a few months' time to remove excess fluid from his brain – and his dad wants to be around to support him.
"It is third time lucky," said Kevin. "It's taken 13 months of action but we have finally got there.
"This is the best present I could have hoped for and I am now looking forward to spending time with my son and supporting him this Christmas, instead of wondering if I'd be here at all.
"I have appealed so many times to my PCT and been unsuccessful, so I am thrilled about this positive decision. I am looking forward to starting my treatment."
Kevin had been receiving chemotherapy, which kept the cancer at bay, until last November, when his body stopped responding to the medication.
Erbitux could help Kevin to become more receptive to chemo, so although he cannot be cured he would be actively fighting the disease again.
Doctors say the treatment is his last hope. Erbitux is only given to patients in the latter stages of cancer who have not responded to other treatments.
But under current government guidance the drug is not available on the NHS and only patients considered "exceptional cases" or "special circumstances" can receive it.
The charity Bowel Cancer UK has been campaigning on Kevin's behalf and he believes the fact he has a son who needs hospital treatment too has swayed the decision-makers.
He added: "I hope this empowers other people to appeal against decisions and I hope the national policy changes."
Bowel Cancer UK spokesman Ian Beaumont said: "In our view every patient counts as an exceptional case and we are absolutely delighted Kevin has finally gained access to the treatment he so desperately needs and deserves.
"We hope more and more PCTs will make positive decisions like this one so more bowel cancer patients like Kevin can gain access to Erbitux and other treatments that can help them."
A Derbyshire County PCT spokesman said: "In this instance the appeal panel was presented with some very specific and significant information relating to the individual case and made its decision with those circumstances in mind."
Resources are limited and the trust has to use its money in a way that is fair and equal to all patients in the area, he added.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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