A leading NGO fighting breast cancer has welcomed Health Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar’s announcement that the hefty treatment for breast cancer will start being given for free after years clamouring for the service.
Action for Breast Cancer Foundation ABCF said it was relieved to know that women in need of Herceptin treatment will no longer have to pay for it themselves, but it also called on the government to give a date from when this will happen.
Cassar announced late last month on TVM programme Reporter that government has decided to provide Herceptin for free through the public health service. But he would not give a specific date from when the treatment will be available
“We trust that this situation will be resolved in the very near future,” said ABCF chairperson Helen Muscat. “It would be nice to know the date from when this change will come into effect.
Breast cancer victims have to pay up to €54,000 a year for a full course of Herceptin.
In fact, ABCF has been approached by women currently undergoing Herceptin treatment, to see if the foundation could help them financially as well as through lobbying.
“We are linking with Dr Stephen Brincat (Director of Oncology) to see how best we can use existing funds to complement financial help that the Community Chest Fund provides to these women,” Muscat said. “These women cannot wait for their treatment, they need help now. ABCF will continue to lobby and support them in whatever way we can.”