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Linda Nolan has revealed that a groundbreaking cancer drug currently blocked by the NHS could be her final hope in battling the disease.
The singer, 65, shared the heartbreaking news that she's been told by doctors her tumours have 'grown' as her treatment has 'stopped working', and is set to begin a course of the breast cancer drug Enhertu.
In an interview with The Mirror, Linda shared that while it's 'amazing' that she is able to have the drug, it's devastating many other women have missed out.
Currently, Enhertu is not available on the health service in England after its manufacturers and the NHS spending watchdog failed to reach an agreement on price.
She said of the treatment: 'To be able to try a new drug is amazing, I just wish everyone could have this opportunity.
Linda Nolan has revealed that a groundbreaking cancer drug currently blocked by the NHS could be her final hope in battling the disease
'To be able to try this is hope - it’s a plan B not everyone is being allowed. To take this drug away from women is to take away their hope.'
But while Linda welcomed the new drug, she said she's dreading the side-effects after medics informed her it was a 'possibility' that she'll lose her hair - which will be the fifth time for Linda amid her years of chemotherapy.
The brave star is trying to keep a positive outlook however as she insisted that she's 'ready to try anything', declaring that as she's done this before, she can 'do it again'.
Linda was first diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer in 2005 before getting the all-clear in 2006. But in 2017 she was diagnosed with a form of incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020.
Last year, she shared the news that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumours discovered on the left side of her brain which left her struggling with her speech and balance.
However, while the disease appeared to be stable in Linda's recent updates, her latest prognosis has revealed the devastating news that two of her largest tumours has grown in size, while further cancer spots have been found.
In a new interview, Linda admitted she was left 'sobbing' as the doctor delivered the results, saying how she wished cancer would just 'leave her alone.'
She told The Mirror: 'I sobbed when my consultant first told me. I know so many people are suffering and going through things, but I thought, just for once, could cancer just leave me alone? My heart sank.'
Detailing how she suspected something was amiss beforehand, she said: 'I had feared something was wrong. My balance has been getting worse and my memory - my sisters have to prompt me when I get lost in the middle of a sentence.'
The singer shared the heartbreaking news that she's been told by doctors her tumours have 'grown', and is set to begin a new course of treatment of the breast cancer drug Enhertu
In an interview with The Mirror , Linda shared that while it's 'amazing' that she is able to have the drug, it's devastating many other women have missed out
Linda told how she was accompanied by sister Maureen and her MacMillan nurse at the appointment and immediately asked her consultant if the cancer had spread.
After it was confirmed, she told how she then enquired straight away what the next course of treatment would be.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence previously said that the cost the NHS was being asked to pay for trastuzumab deruxtecan - known as Enhertu – was 'too high'.
Trials of the drug found it boosted the time the cancer was held at bay from seven months to over two years – results that were called ‘mind-blowing’ by experts.
The charity Breast Cancer Now said it was 'devastated and angry' that patients have been 'caught in the middle of a stand-off about cost and the system which is denying them precious hope'.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said it was 'deeply disappointed' it was unable to recommend the drug due to pricing.
However the companies behind the drug called for the NHS watchdog to 'evolve' the way treatments are assessed.
Enhertu is the first licensed targeted treatment for patients with HER2-low breast cancer, that cannot be removed surgically or has spread to other parts of the body, also known as metastatic breast cancer.
In Linda's recent updates, her latest prognosis has revealed the devastating news that two of her largest tumours has grown in size, while further cancer spots have been found
Chemotherapy is usually offered as a treatment, but if the targeted therapy had been made available, around 1,000 patients a year would have been eligible.
While the NHS in England blocked use of the drug, it has been allowed in Scotland.
In April, Linda revealed that she's always 'keen to squeeze the most out of life' amid her cancer battle.
In an interview she has told how her main focus is 'making memories' with her family and filling up her schedule with happy plans.
She told The Mirror that since her birthday celebrations in February her and the family have had a stream of 'knees-ups' including her niece Amy's birthday, her sister Coleen's birthday and St Patrick's celebrations.
Linda told the publication: 'The WhatsApps are flying. Like I said to my counsellor, it's a funny life in my head. Never mind tumours, it sometimes feels like I have worms wriggling in there.
'I'm constantly so keen to squeeze the most out of life; to make memories, to enjoy every second, and to ensure everyone enjoys their time with me.
Just days ago, Linda's sister Coleen said it has become a daily ritual for her to check for signs of cancer everyday after the tragic effects the disease has had on her family
This week I'm realising perhaps I'm putting too much pressure on it all. Can you have too much fun? Nah. But life doesn't stop teaching you lessons, does it? And just when you think you have this cancer malarkey all figured out.'
Just days ago, Linda's sister Coleen said it has become a daily ritual for her to check for signs of cancer everyday after the tragic effects the disease has had on her family.
The Loose Women presenter, who is one if six sisters, candidly admitted she is terrified she will be the family member targeted by the disease next.
Cancer has significantly affected the Nolan family after the sisters lost Bernie, 52, in 2013 after a three year battle with breast cancer.
Meanwhile both Anne, 73, and Linda have also both battled breast cancer.
Speaking to The Mirror Coleen opened up about the preventative measures she takes as she explained: 'We have had so much heartache... I'm always checking. I still have this thing when I think, "What if I have missed it?"
Cancer has significantly affected the Nolan family after the sisters lost Bernie, 52, in 2013 after a three year battle with breast cancer. Meanwhile both Anne, 73, and Linda, 65, have also both battled breast cancer
In 2013, Bernie Nolan passed away after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, and despite being given the all-clear the disease returned in 2012
'Whenever I'm in the shower, I will have a good feel and check and if there is ever a time when I think "I don't like that", I will go to the doctor straight away. And they will say "It's fine, it's a little cyst or an infection".
While Coleen hopes she doesn't get the disease, she explained that if she is unfortunate she wants to catch it early.
Revealing how much she spends on health care, she admitted: 'My breast specialist is £225 a year. People say, "It's all right for you, you've got money". But you could probably spend that in a year on takeaways, down the pub or on cigarettes.'
The TV star pays for regular appointments with a breast specialist, in addition to her NHS mammogram every two years.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and affects more than two MILLION women a year
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Each year in the UK there are more than 55,000 new cases, and the disease claims the lives of 11,500 women. In the US, it strikes 266,000 each year and kills 40,000. But what causes it and how can it be treated?
What is breast cancer?
It comes from a cancerous cell which develops in the lining of a duct or lobule in one of the breasts.
When the breast cancer has spread into surrounding tissue it is called 'invasive'. Some people are diagnosed with 'carcinoma in situ', where no cancer cells have grown beyond the duct or lobule.
Most cases develop in those over the age of 50 but younger women are sometimes affected. Breast cancer can develop in men, though this is rare.
Staging indicates how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 means the cancer has spread to another part of the body.
The cancerous cells are graded from low, which means a slow growth, to high, which is fast-growing. High-grade cancers are more likely to come back after they have first been treated.
What causes breast cancer?
A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.
Although breast cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are some risk factors that can increase the chance, such as genetics.
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
The usual first symptom is a painless lump in the breast, although most are not cancerous and are fluid filled cysts, which are benign.
The first place that breast cancer usually spreads to is the lymph nodes in the armpit. If this occurs you will develop a swelling or lump in an armpit.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
- Initial assessment: A doctor examines the breasts and armpits. They may do tests such as a mammography, a special x-ray of the breast tissue which can indicate the possibility of tumours.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under a microscope to look for abnormal cells. The sample can confirm or rule out cancer.
If you are confirmed to have breast cancer, further tests may be needed to assess if it has spread. For example, blood tests, an ultrasound scan of the liver or a chest X-ray.
How is breast cancer treated?
Treatment options which may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. Often a combination of two or more of these treatments are used.
- Surgery: Breast-conserving surgery or the removal of the affected breast depending on the size of the tumour.
- Radiotherapy: A treatment which uses high energy beams of radiation focused on cancerous tissue. This kills cancer cells, or stops them from multiplying. It is mainly used in addition to surgery.
- Chemotherapy: A treatment of cancer by using anti-cancer drugs which kill cancer cells, or stop them from multiplying.
- Hormone treatments: Some types of breast cancer are affected by the 'female' hormone oestrogen, which can stimulate the cancer cells to divide and multiply. Treatments which reduce the level of these hormones, or prevent them from working, are commonly used in people with breast cancer.
How successful is treatment?
The outlook is best in those who are diagnosed when the cancer is still small, and has not spread. Surgical removal of a tumour in an early stage may then give a good chance of cure.
The routine mammography offered to women between the ages of 50 and 71 means more breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
For more information visit breastcancernow.org or call its free helpline on 0808 800 6000
English (US) ·