Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 08:30 - 19:00 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
23 September 2014 09:30
Nice says the skin cancer drug should be made more widely available to some patients on the NHS
Latest guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommends that a new skin cancer drug should be made more widely available on the NHS.
Dabrafenib targets a certain strain of skin cancer related to a specific type of mutation. It kills the mutated cells, stopping or slowing down the cancer's growth as a result.
Nice's final draft guidance recommends that patients should be able to access the drug if surgery failed to completely remove the cancer or it has spread and if tests show that they have the mutation.
The organisation highlights the drug's fast-acting effect on many patients who have the specific type of melanoma. It also points to a lack of available treatments for skin cancer which has spread.
The guidance says Dabrafenib, which is also known as Tafinlar, has the potential to substantially improve the outlook for people with malignant melanoma.
Guide to travelling if you have had cancer
Cancer should not be a barrier to travelling or enjoying a holiday. A break could even be the perfect tonic for those hoping to recover from treatment and re-adjust to normal life.
Travel insurance for cancer patients is available for people at all different stages of their treatment.
But Cancer Research UK has put together a list of factors worth considering that could help you plan your holiday with your condition in mind:
when will you book your holiday for? Going away immediately after a course of treatment could leave you feeling too tired to enjoy your break. where will you go? Radiotherapy or some cancer drugs can make you more sensitive to the sun. So two weeks of lying by the pool in baking heat may not be the wisest idea. what will you do? Your condition could leave you feeling sick or could bring on a bout of diarrhoea. Try to avoid activities that could aggravate such symptoms. what clothes will you pack? If you've had surgery, you may have to cope with some physical changes following your operation.
07 June 2019
Get hitched without a hitch! Here are our top tips on how to choose your perfect wedding location abroad, covering everything from food to legalities.
[more...]
03 June 2019
Want to get into surfing but not sure where to go? Here's where you should be heading to get the best beginner waves around the world.
Heading to the showpiece event of women's football in France this summer? Here's everything you need to know about England's venues for France 2019.
Get more out of your smartphone when you go travelling by downloading these travel apps and make your trip easier at the touch of a button.
24 May 2019
Heading to the football in Baku but don't know what else to do? Explore the hip and trendy crossroad of Europe and the Middle East and experience the fast-growing phenomenon, Azerbaijan.
Two of London's top football teams head east in search of silverware on May 29. If you're heading to Baku for the final, here's our guide on what you need to know before you go...
17 May 2019
There's more to Monaco than the Grand Prix. Discover the magic of the Mediterranean principality with our guide to what you must see in Monaco.
15 May 2019
Are you heading to one of Europe's best music festivals this summer? Then make sure you read our top ten tips before you leave...
What makes the Monaco Grand Prix so special? From a royal guestlist to a challenging circuit, we take a look at why the Monte Carlo Formula 1 race is so prestigious...
Get inspired for a summer of music, travel and adventure with our guide to some of the best music festivals around Europe.
07 May 2019
Thinking of visiting Spain? There are some excellent reasons to explore the country this spring and summer, from football finals to eating snails - so don't miss out!
Want to learn a new language without the hassle of going to classes? Check out our guide to the best free apps on the market and get yourself holiday-ready in no time.