Treatment for advanced womb cancer ‘major step forward'
The treatment, pembrolizumab, can slow down cancer growth and improve survival odds, health officials said.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) estimates that around 2,100 women will benefit from the treatment each year.
It said that its approval of the treatment for the NHS in England marks a 'major step forward' in treatment for women with this type of cancer.
The treatment, also known as Keytruda and made by Merck Sharp and Dohme, is an immunotherapy drug and is delivered in a drip alongside chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel and can be given for up to two years.
Nice said that clinical trials show the combination of treatments reduced the risk of death by 26% compared to chemotherapy alone.
The treatments can also slow down cancer progression, it added.
'For people with advanced endometrial cancer, this innovative combination offers a powerful new treatment option,' said Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice.
'It marks a major step forward, and we're pleased to recommend it as part of our commitment to getting the best care to people, fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer.'
Around 9,700 women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer each year, Nice said, making it the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK.
Helen Hyndman, lead nurse at the charity Eve Appeal's information service Ask Eve, said: 'Primary advanced or recurrent womb (endometrial) cancer has a huge impact on the quality of life for those diagnosed.
'It is great news that this new treatment has been approved.
'It will offer hope, a better quality of life and improve outcomes for those affected.'
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: 'Getting this treatment to many more NHS patients as quickly as possible will help thousands of women live longer, allowing them to spend more time with loved ones and give them a better quality of life.
'Thanks to the NHS's Cancer Drugs Fund, it is now being fast-tracked into routine use, with treatment available to more patients from today.'
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Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Majority of British public back prostate screening
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Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I was so fat I ended up in a wheelchair with just 4 weeks to live – then I lost 20st without pricey jabs
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She says: 'Quick fix diets are not the answer as they don't help with the underlying problem. 'I've tried most diets but they didn't work because I needed help changing my mindset to help me overcome my overeating. 'I couldn't do that alone; I needed a consultant to guide me. 'It has taken me seven years to overcome all of my obstacles. 'But now, because of all my hard work, I'm more than confident I can stay at my target weight for the rest of my days.' 13 The mum-of-two with her sons, who inspired her weight loss journey Credit: Jam Press/Suzanne Evans 13 'Slimming World saved my life,' Suzanne says Credit: Jam Press/Suzanne Evans
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Struggling doctors left in ‘recurring cycle of debt'
Newly qualified doctors and medical students are taking on part-time jobs, such as driving Ubers or working in bars, to cope with financial difficulties. The British Medical Association (BMA) reports an average £3,674 drop in funding for final-year undergraduates and post-graduate medical students due to reduced student loans and NHS bursaries. This funding gap is forcing students into a 'recurring cycle of debt,' with many maxing out overdrafts and credit cards to complete their medical degrees. Students from poorer backgrounds and those on longer, six-year programmes or post-graduate degrees are disproportionately affected, facing up to three years of reduced funding. The BMA is calling on the government to provide full student finance maintenance for the entire duration of medical courses, estimating the cost at £24 million.
