Cancer patient's drug hope

A father of two battling lung cancer finally got some good news today when health chiefs agreed to pay for the drug that could triple his life expectancy.

Stafford College lecturer Brian Athersmith had been warned that he might not survive more than five months without the use of Alimpta in his treatment.

But the 56-year-old non smoker had to wait for more than three weeks as South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust discussed whether to pay for it. Now, 24 hours after his plight was featured in the Express & Star, it agreed to foot the bill and given doctors the go ahead to use the drug that could increase his life expectancy to at least 18 months.

Brian, of Cannock, said: "I am delighted – now I can concentrate on dealing with the disease."

His wife Pauline, 55. added: "This will be an enormous relief for him. I had to take him to hospital earlier this week because he was suffering panic attacks caused by the additional worry of not knowing whether he could have the drug.

"All the stress of the situation just overwhelmed him. I was so pleased when I heard from the hospital that they had been finally been given financial approval.

"It just shows what a bit of pressure can do. We had been banging our head against the wall for weeks trying to get the authorities to fund the treatment without success. Then we get a call to say that they have agreed to pay for the treatment hours after the Express & Star does a story criticising the delay – that is a remarkable coincidence.

But the important thing is that the decision has finally been made and we are very grateful."

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust said that they could not discuss individual cases but Brian's treatment is now set to start as soon as possible at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

The lecturer is feared to have contracted the lung cancer after coming into contact with asbestos while working as a plumber more than 30 years ago but was only diagnosed with the disease recently after falling ill in the summer. His treatment should have started on September 17.