Latest news with #HelenKnight
CTV News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Actors work brilliant overtime in funny ATP production of Liars at a Funeral
Helen Knight, Tyrell Crews, Joel David Taylor and Grace Fedorchuk in Liars at a Funeral at Alberta Theatre Projects through May 11. (Photo by Benjamin Laird)
The Guardian
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Daily endometriosis pill approved for NHS could help 1,000 women a year
More than 1,000 women a year in England could benefit from a new pill for endometriosis. The condition occurs when tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body, such as the pelvis, bladder and bowel. It can cause chronic pain, heavy periods, extreme tiredness and fertility problems. According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects about 190 million women and girls globally. In the UK, approximately 1.5 million are estimated to have the condition. In final draft guidance published on Thursday, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) approved a daily tablet for adult patients of reproductive age who have had unsuccessful previous treatment for endometriosis. Linzagolix,also known as Yselty, works by blocking the hormones that contribute to the symptoms of endometriosis. It is taken once a day alongside 'add-back' low-dose hormonal therapy to help manage potential menopausal symptoms and bone loss. In clinical trials, linzagolix was shown to reduce painful periods and non-menstrual pelvic pain, compared with a placebo drug, and is already approved for treating moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids. It is the second take-at-home pill for endometriosis to be made available on the NHS, after Nice approved relugolix combination therapy in March. It is estimated that more than 1,000 women a year will be eligible for the new treatment. Helen Knight, the director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said she was 'pleased' to recommend linzagolix and that it offered 'a convenient way for people with endometriosis to manage their condition and helps to ease pressure on NHS services'. Welcoming the announcement, the women's health minister, Gillian Merron, said: 'This could be a gamechanger for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition.' Dr Sue Mann, the national clinical director in women's health at NHS England, said: 'This is welcome news for women with endometriosis who haven't found relief from previous therapies or surgery – it's another treatment option which will help women take control of their health and better manage the symptoms of this often painful and debilitating condition.' Emma Cox, the chief executive of Endometriosis UK, said: 'Everyone with endometriosis should be able to choose the most appropriate management and treatment for them. But there are far too few options due to historic lack of research into the disease. 'We welcome the approval of linzagolix for NHS use in England, however as it results in 'medical menopause' it will be suitable for only some with endometriosis. And as with many hormonal medications, it is not suitable for those trying for a pregnancy. We urge more investment in research to provide those with this sometimes debilitating disease, more options to help them live their lives.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New at-home pill for endometriosis approved for use on the NHS
A new at-home pill for endometriosis has been approved for use on the NHS. The once-a-day tablet, called linzagolix but also known as Yselty, could benefit up to 1,000 women a year with the condition. Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body, such as the pelvis, bladder and bowel. It can cause severe pain, heavy periods, exhaustion and fertility problems and can have a big impact on women's lives. Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million women in the UK but, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), diagnosis typically takes nine years from when symptoms first appear. Linzagolix works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to the symptoms of endometriosis. The news comes after Nice approved the first long-term daily pill for endometriosis in March, known as relugolix combination therapy or Ryeqo. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: 'We're pleased to recommend linzagolix as a new treatment option for endometriosis. 'As a once-daily tablet taken at home, it offers a convenient way for people with endometriosis to manage their condition and helps to ease pressure on NHS services 'Thanks to our streamlined process, we've been able to fast-track our evaluation of this treatment to get it to the people who need it, quickly. 'Linzagolix is a valuable addition to the options available for this often painful and disruptive condition.' Linzagolix is taken as a once-daily 200 mg tablet and requires separate hormonal 'add-back' therapy, which is low-dose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent menopause-like symptoms and bone loss. In clinical trials, linzagolix was shown to reduce painful periods and non-menstrual pelvic pain, compared with a dummy drug. Linzagolix, which is already approved for treating fibroids, is for patients whose previous medical or surgical treatments for endometriosis have been unsuccessful. Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director in women's health at NHS England, said: 'This is welcome news for women with endometriosis who haven't found relief from previous therapies or surgery – it's another treatment option which will help women take control of their health and better manage the symptoms of this often painful and debilitating condition. 'This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to improving treatment, care and quality of life for women – and follows the approval just months ago of the first long-term daily pill for managing endometriosis on the NHS, giving women more choice in treatment they can take in the comfort of their own homes.' Women's health minister, Baroness Merron, said: 'This could be a game-changer for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition. 'After years of neglect in women's health, we are turning the tide – backing new treatments like linzagolix, cutting diagnosis times and slashing waiting lists.' Tina Backhouse, UK general manager of Theramex, which makes the drug, said there are 'significant gaps and delays for women in diagnosis and treatment of their endometriosis'. She added: 'This decision by Nice can only be one step in a much longer journey towards equitable treatment for women in the NHS, ensuring that all women, regardless of race or background, receive timely and effective care.'
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
NHS approves 'game-changing' at-home pill for endometriosis
Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects one in 10 women in the UK, and can have a big impact on women's lives. The new at-home pill could benefit up to 1,000 women a year A groundbreaking at-home pill for endometriosis, known as linzagolix or Yselty, has been given the green light for use on the NHS. The daily tablet could potentially benefit up to 1,000 women a year who are battling with the condition. Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the womb's lining grow elsewhere in the body, such as the pelvis, bladder and bowel. It can lead to severe pain, heavy periods, fatigue, fertility issues and significantly impact women's lives. Around 1.5 million women in the UK suffer from endometriosis, but according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), it typically takes nine years from the onset of symptoms to get a diagnosis. Linzagolix works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to the symptoms of endometriosis. This approval follows Nice's sanctioning of the first long-term daily pill for endometriosis in March, known as relugolix combination therapy or Ryeqo. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: "We're pleased to recommend linzagolix as a new treatment option for endometriosis. As a once-daily tablet taken at home, it offers a convenient way for people with endometriosis to manage their condition and helps to ease pressure on NHS services. "Thanks to our streamlined process, we've been able to fast-track our evaluation of this treatment to get it to the people who need it, quickly. Linzagolix is a valuable addition to the options available for this often painful and disruptive condition." Linzagolix is taken as a once-daily 200 mg tablet accompanied by separate hormonal "add-back" therapy to stave off menopause-like symptoms and bone loss. Clinical trials of linzagolix have shown it reduces painful periods and non-menstrual pelvic pain more effectively than a placebo. Already approved for fibroid treatment, linzagolix offers a new lease of life for patients unaffected by previous endometriosis treatments. 'Game-changer for women' Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director in women's health at NHS England, said: "This is welcome news for women with endometriosis who haven't found relief from previous therapies or surgery – it's another treatment option which will help women take control of their health and better manage the symptoms of this often painful and debilitating condition. "This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to improving treatment, care and quality of life for women – and follows the approval just months ago of the first long-term daily pill for managing endometriosis on the NHS, giving women more choice in treatment they can take in the comfort of their own homes." Women's health minister, Baroness Merron, added: "This could be a game-changer for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition. After years of neglect in women's health, we are turning the tide – backing new treatments like linzagolix, cutting diagnosis times and slashing waiting lists."
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Once-daily pill for endometriosis approved for use on the NHS
A new at-home treatment option offers hope for women suffering from endometriosis. The NHS has approved linzagolix, also known as Yselty, a once-daily pill designed to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of the condition. Endometriosis affects an estimated 1.5 million women in the UK, causing tissue similar to the womb lining to grow elsewhere in the body. This can lead to a range of painful and disruptive symptoms, including severe pelvic pain, heavy periods, exhaustion, and fertility problems. The current diagnostic process can be lengthy, with Nice reporting an average nine-year delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Linzagolix offers a new approach to managing endometriosis by blocking specific hormones that contribute to the condition's symptoms. This new oral medication is expected to benefit up to 1,000 women annually, providing a more convenient and accessible treatment option. The news comes after Nice approved the first long-term daily pill for endometriosis, known as relugolix combination therapy or Ryeqo, in March. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said linzagolix offers 'a convenient way for people with endometriosis to manage their condition and helps to ease pressure on NHS services. 'Thanks to our streamlined process, we've been able to fast-track our evaluation of this treatment to get it to the people who need it, quickly. 'Linzagolix is a valuable addition to the options available for this often painful and disruptive condition.' Linzagolix is taken as a once-daily 200 mg tablet and requires separate hormonal 'add-back' therapy, which is low-dose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent menopause-like symptoms and bone loss. In clinical trials, linzagolix was shown to reduce painful periods and non-menstrual pelvic pain, compared with a dummy drug. Linzagolix, which is already approved for treating fibroids, is for patients whose previous medical or surgical treatments for endometriosis have been unsuccessful. Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director in women's health at NHS England, said: 'This is welcome news for women with endometriosis who haven't found relief from previous therapies or surgery – it's another treatment option which will help women take control of their health and better manage the symptoms of this often painful and debilitating condition. 'This is a testament to our ongoing commitment to improving treatment, care and quality of life for women – and follows the approval just months ago of the first long-term daily pill for managing endometriosis on the NHS, giving women more choice in treatment they can take in the comfort of their own homes.' Women's health minister, Baroness Merron, said: 'This could be a game-changer for thousands of women battling endometriosis, which can be a debilitating and life-limiting condition. 'After years of neglect in women's health, we are turning the tide – backing new treatments like linzagolix, cutting diagnosis times and slashing waiting lists.'
