Linda Nolan, 65, reveals groundbreaking cancer drug that’s been blocked by the NHS could be her final hope in battling the disease after sharing her tumours have ‘grown’
As I read through this heart-wrenching yet resilient account of the Nolan family, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of empathy and admiration for their strength and determination to face life head-on. Having lost Bernie, one of their own to cancer, and both Anne and Linda battling breast cancer themselves, they have certainly experienced more than their fair share of heartache.
Linda Nolan shared that a revolutionary cancer treatment, at present denied by the NHS, might represent her last chance for combating the illness.
The performer, now 65 years old, disclosed the distressing update that her physicians have informed her that her tumors have “expanded” since her treatment has become ineffective. She’s preparing to start a regimen of the breast cancer medication called 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.
At present, Enhertu isn’t accessible through the healthcare system in England due to lack of a price agreement between the drug’s manufacturers and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), who oversee NHS spending.
She said of the treatment: ‘To be able to try a new drug is amazing, I just wish everyone could have this opportunity.
1. Trying this offers a glimmer of hope, but not everyone gets that chance. Removing this medication from women’s reach strips them of that hope.
Although Linda was pleased about the new medication, she expressed concern over potential side effects, particularly the possibility of hair loss – an issue that has occurred four times in her long history with chemotherapy treatments.
As a committed follower, I’m determinedly maintaining an optimistic stance, asserting that I’m prepared to take on any challenge. Having ventured down this path before, I am confident I can tread it once more.
In 2005, Linda was initially identified as having stage-three breast cancer, but she received a clean bill of health in 2006. However, in 2017, she was diagnosed with an incurable type of secondary cancer in her hip that subsequently spread to her liver in 2020.
The previous year, it was announced that cancer had advanced into her brain, revealing two tumors on its left side. This made speaking and maintaining balance challenging for her.
Despite the seeming stability of Linda’s condition in recent reports, a troubling development has emerged. Her most significant tumors have expanded in size, and additional cancerous spots have been detected in her latest assessment.
During a recent interview, Linda confessed that she broke down crying when the doctor shared the test results. She expressed her desire for cancer to stop troubling her.
She shared with The Mirror, “Upon hearing the news from my doctor, I couldn’t help but weep. Although I am aware that numerous individuals are experiencing hardships, I found myself thinking, ‘For once, can cancer spare me?’ My spirit felt heavy.”
Before it happened, she mentioned her suspicion, saying, “I had worried that something wasn’t right. My balance has been deteriorating, and sometimes I forget what I was talking about mid-sentence, so my sisters have to remind me.”
At the appointment, Linda mentioned that Sister Maureen and her MacMillan nurse were with her, and right away inquired from her consultant whether the cancer had metastasized.
Once confirmed, she immediately asked about the following plan of action regarding her treatment.
Previously, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence expressed that the price being requested for trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) by its manufacturers was deemed excessively high.
The test of this drug demonstrated a significant extension of the duration during which cancer remained in remission, increasing from approximately seven months to more than two years. These astonishing outcomes left the experts speechless.
The organization, Breast Cancer Now, expressed deep sadness and frustration that patients are finding themselves stuck between a dispute over costs and the system, resulting in them being denied valuable hope.
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), they were extremely frustrated that they couldn’t endorse the medication because of its high cost.
Nevertheless, manufacturers of a specific medication urged the NHS appraisal authority to adapt or modify their approach to evaluating treatments.
Enhertu represents the initial approved therapy specifically tailored for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer showing a low level of HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), which either cannot be surgically removed or has spread beyond the initial site to other areas of the body, commonly referred to as metastatic breast cancer.
If the targeted therapy were accessible instead, approximately 1,000 patients each year could potentially be candidates for this treatment instead of chemotherapy.
While the NHS in England blocked use of the drug, it has been allowed in Scotland.
In April, Linda shared that she has a strong desire to seize every opportunity in life during her fight against cancer.
In a recent interview, she shared that her primary concern is creating cherished moments with her loved ones and scheduling joyful activities.
She informed The Mirror that following her birthday in February, there has been a continuous series of gatherings or parties – such as Amy’s birthday, her sister Coleen’s birthday, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities – for herself and her family to enjoy together.
Linda shared with the press: “WhatsApp messages are flooding in. As I mentioned to my therapist, life inside my head can be quite amusing at times. Ignoring tumors, there are moments when it seems as though I have worms squirming about.”
I have an intense desire to fully experience life; to create lasting moments, to appreciate each instant, and to guarantee that others have a good time in my company.
This week, I’m starting to understand that maybe I’ve been carrying an excessive burden of expectations. Is there such a thing as too much enjoyment? Not really. But life is a continuous school, isn’t it? And even when I believe I’ve grasped the intricacies of dealing with cancer, it still manages to teach me new lessons.
A few days back, Linda’s sibling, Coleen, mentioned that she now checks for cancer indicators every day, following the heartbreaking impact this disease has had on their family.
One of the Loose Women’s hosts, a member of a family of six siblings, openly confessed her fear that she might be the one in her family to contract the illness in the future.
2013 was a tough year for the Nolan family as they lost their sister Bernie, aged 52, following her long-fought battle against breast cancer that spanned over three years.
Meanwhile both Anne, 73, and Linda have also both battled breast cancer.
To The Mirror, Coleen candidly discussed her safety precautions, expressing, “We’ve experienced a great deal of sorrow… I’m perpetually vigilant. There’s always this feeling in the back of my mind that says, ‘What if I’ve overlooked something?'”
Whenever I take a shower, I always ensure to check myself thoroughly, and if at any point I feel discomfort and think “This doesn’t seem right”, I’ll make an immediate appointment with my doctor. They usually reassure me that it’s likely just a small cyst or infection.
Coleen expressed her hope that she won’t contract the disease, but should she unfortunately fall ill, she wants to detect it as early as possible.
In response to questions about her healthcare expenses, she disclosed: ‘I pay approximately £225 annually for my breast specialist. Some people comment, “You’re lucky, you have money”. However, one could potentially use that amount in a year for food deliveries, nights out at the pub, or cigarettes.’
The well-known television personality routinely visits a breast specialist at her own expense, supplementing her biannual NHS mammography examinations.
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2024-08-28 15:20