A newlywed cancer survivor is appealing to the Government to allow stage three melanoma patients access to a drug which, she claims, is saving her life.
Sarah Lane Smith, 36, whose illness has returned aggressively twice, said Nivolumab is the reason she has been tumour-free for nearly two years.
The mum of three from Navan, Co Meath, is now pleading with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Meath West TD Damien English to give all newly-diagnosed melanoma stage three patients access to the drug.
Last week the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics recommended the drug be considered for reimbursement for those with melanoma which has spread into lymph nodes or who had surgery to remove the cancer.
However, this funding should only occur if cost-effectivenes can be improved relative to existing treatments, it adds.
Sarah claimed delaying funding approval for this particular type of cancer is ‘knocking decades off the lives of these new cancer patients.”
She said: “This treatment is saving my life and now others aren’t going to have the same chance as me unless reimbursement is approved for this particular type of cancer.”
In a letter to the Taoiseach she added: “I am appealing for your help in supporting patients diagnosed with stage three melanoma cancer.
“I believe Nivolumab is the wonder drug for these patients and I believe if I was given this straight away on my diagnosis, I may not have had to endure all the surgery and radiation.
Co-founder of Melanoma Support Ireland Kay Curtin said: “While we are delighted it has been reimbursed for other cancers such as lung recently, we are bitterly disappointed that stage three melanoma patients are at present, being denied the opportunity to use it to prevent a recurrence of their cancer.”
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