A campaigning mother who pleaded with the NHS to give her a revolutionary drug for breast cancer has died.
Karen Elliott, 38, of Dickens Close, Braintree, died in Farleigh Hospice, Chelmsford, despite being given the drug by the NHS.
The mother-of-two had breast cancer, which had spread to her spine, hips and liver and eventually to her brain.
North Essex Health Authority initially declined to prescribe the drug herceptin in November, 2001, though it was available privately.
But last January, the brave mum won a long battle to be given the drug on the NHS, though she maintained the indecision had shortened her life.
The drug had previously been refused to Mrs Elliott and others in her position because the National Institute for Clinical Excellence had not approved it, despite its use in US hospitals for several years.
While Mrs Elliott was waiting for the landmark decision, she had treatments privately, paid for by her mother.
But she believed she should have been given the treatment far earlier by the NHS.
Her husband, Ian, today said: "I have been asked if I regret that Karen did not receive the drug earlier and whether it would have changed things.
"I must say I am not going to live my life full of regrets. It's time to get on with things and move on.
"Karen fought really hard at the end and was in great pain. She is now at peace. As a family we are coping well at the moment."
Dr Paul Watson, medical director for Essex Strategic Health Authority, said: "We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Mrs Eliott's family at their sad loss.
"At the time of her request for herceptin, the health authority at the time, North Essex Health Authority (NEHA), did not fund the drug since its clinical effectiveness had not then been fully assessed.
"NEHA was awaiting guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and, in common with nearly all health authorities across the country, such guidance was sought before funding of a drug was agreed.
"However, NEHA considered Mrs Elliott's specific appeal and in the circumstances a decision was made in January, 2002, to fund the drug for her."
National Insitute for Clinical Excellence later made the drug available on the NHS nationwide.
A funeral is to be held on January 10 at St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Bakers Lane, Braintree.
Published Friday, January 3, 2003
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