A Sidcup woman is campaigning to have a cancer drug used to fight benign tumours in her brain, heart and kidneys, made available on the NHS after it was removed from prescriptions in January.
Leyla Latif, 29, of The Green has suffered from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex - a rare genetic condition that causes tumours to develop in different parts of the body - since birth and has undergone numerous operations to remove tumours.
Doctors have recommended Miss Latif is prescribed Everomlimus, a cancer drug, to shrink tumours on her kidneys but has been told the medication would cost her family £91 per day to buy privately.
A report produced by NHS England in January shows that the drug was made unavailable on the NHS following a Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) review.
Miss Latif's sister, Dilek Latif said: "My sister is a fighter, she has had so many operations and she comes out and goes back to playing football and keeping fit.
"That's why she's so strong.
"For her not to be able to get the drugs she needs is very frustrating."
Leyla Latif
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Miss Latif says: "I have survived lots of surgeries and don't intend on stopping now.
"My current battle is with the tumours in my kidneys. "Despite everything the doctors are doing they are still getting bigger. "My consultant has fought several times for me to receive the drug Everolimus which has proven to shrink these tumours. We have been refused several times.
"With my tumours getting bigger I need this medication and I need it soon."
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A spokesperson for NHS England said: "No new treatments are made routinely available on the NHS without having been approved by NICE or forming part of a NHS England clinical commissioning policy.
"NHS England is considering the formation of clinical policy on Everolimus for a number of indications as part of our work programme for the coming year, along with a large number of other competing priorities, including working with NICE to determine whether any of those indications will be included in their work programme.”
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