[lettie]

All the government statistics show that people who live in more affluent areas of the country are more likely to receive treatment. PCT's in Devon and Cornwall are already paying for Herceptin, whereas PCT's in the North West aren't. I was under the impression that Herceptin is still in the trial stages and more effective for people with late breast cancer rather than early stages. Having said that, if a woman has breast cancer and thinks that she's going to die, a drug still being in the trial stages will not put her off wanting it. It should be available to all PCT's next year.

Cashman is right about private health insurance. You can pay into BUPA for years, but as soon as you come down with something chronic that's expensive to treat ie, cancer, HIV.... They don't want you anymore and will not treat you. Makes you think that there is no point joining doesn't it.