These are the words of 53-year-old Mary Brewis, who is not only battling bowel cancer, but is also fighting against health chiefs who are refusing to pay for a drug which will give her more precious time with her family.

Despite her oncologist and GP showing proof that the drug has worked to help Mary's condition, North of Tyne Primary Care Trust (PCT) has refused to fund it.

Retired teacher Mary, who lives with her husband John at The Stables, Look Out Farm, Seaton Sluice, is now having to use her savings to pay for the drug Erbitux.

"They are playing God – what right do they have to tell me that my life isn't worth prolonging, that I'm not worth a drug that will give me a few extra months to spend with my family?" she said.

"We have paid our national insurance contributions for how many years.

"You expect help from the NHS if you need it, but then when it comes to things like this it counts for nothing.

"They say I am not an exceptional case, but they give no criteria as to what an exceptional case is.

"It is really degrading and demeaning to have to beg for extra life, to beg someone for extra months to spend with my family – it is inhuman."

Mary, who worked as a teacher at Shiremoor Primary School for 15 years before being forced to retire two years ago due to ill health, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in May 2003.

John, who works as a supply teacher in schools across North Tyneside, said: "It is disgraceful – the oncologist has proof that Mary is responding well to treatment, and he has only asked for a three-month supply and yet we are being refused.

"Anywhere in Europe Mary would get it, in most of the other PCTs in the country, Mary would get it.

"There needs to be a set criteria that all PCTs adhere to – you don't realise there is such a thing as a postcode lottery until you come up against it.

"This is exhausting and relentless, there needs to be an independent scrutiny and some coherence between the PCTs, they should not be able to make up their own rules.

"They have all the cards in their hands, they can make a decision."

The couple have been forced to use their savings that were earmarked for a memorable cruise as well as cashing in an insurance policy to pay for the £1,100-a-week drug.

Mary said: "No reasonable person would make the decision they made, if you put all of this information to anyone else, they would say 'give her the drug'.

"People are being told 'no' and they just go away and die.

"To go to a panel and have to plead for your life is so unjust, I should not have to plead for extra months to live – it is a disgrace.

"I don't know what I will do when the money dries up.

"We have enough left for one month's supply, and have already borrowed off friends.

"All we have left is our house and we should not have to sell our house for something the NHS could give me for free."

John added: "They're playing God with people who are not in a position to challenge them, and that is a great concern to me.

"We are realistic and we know how it works, but the case is so strong we cannot believe that it was refused.

"All we want is a chance to prolong Mary's life."

A spokesman for North of Tyne PCT said: "These are always very difficult cases and we know that it is distressing for patients to be told that a drug is not being made available to them on the NHS.

"When looking at such cases we need to take into consideration the real clinical benefits a drug may provide.

"Unfortunately, in this case no evidence has been demonstrated to show that there have been clinical benefits or exceptional circumstances.

"The panel looking at the application felt that this patient's case was not significantly different from other patients with this disease and therefore to fund the treatment would be unfair to other patients with the same condition.

"We would always urge patients to discuss their alternative treatment options with their cancer consultant.

"We are unable to comment further in this case as we are bound by patient confidentiality."




Campbell criticises 'postcode lottery' of cancer drugs

LOCAL MP Ronnie Campbell has called on the government to end the 'postcode lottery' regarding the distribution of cancer drugs.

The Blyth Valley MP has vowed to help Mary and John Brewis, and will table an early day motion in the House of Commons calling on the government to fund all cancer treatments regardless of the cost.

The borough's Labour member said he will also be meeting with the Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson this week to argue Mrs Brewis' case.

Mr Campbell told the News Post Leader: "They haven't given a reason for refusal yet, but we believe it will be cost.

"In some areas, you can get this, in some areas you can't.

"It's just a postcode lottery – which is disgraceful.

"I'll be meeting with Alan Johnson and asking him to intervene.

"It beggars belief that they're going to let this woman die.

"I expected better of the health service.

"Even a specialist is saying she's responding to treatment with this drug, but they won't pay the cost of keeping her alive.

"The trust is being unreasonable."



Charity backs Mary's bid to receive cancer drug

A VOLUNTARY organisation that campaigns to make new drugs and treatments available for cancer patients has pledged to support Mary Brewis in her fight to get the drug Erbitux.

The Pamela Northcott Fund, which offers advocacy and support to cancer patients denied access to new drug therapies, was set up when Mrs Northcott was refused the drug Sutent to help prolong her life in her battle against kidney cancer.

Chief executive of the fund, Pamela's daughter Kate Spall, now helps other people campaign to get funding.

"Mary has had a marvellous response to this drug, and it has worked to shrink her tumours, and yet funding is being denied," said Ms Spall.

"It is absolutely horrific that three people decided Mary shouldn't have this drug when we there is proof it is working – two of those people are not even doctors.

"Mary had to retire due to ill health and is now facing the thought of having to use her teacher's pension to fund a drug she should have.

"Her oncologist has recommended it, it is a licensed drug, and it is already showing it works, so why is she being denied funding?

"Without this drug she will die – this is all she has left, and she is being denied it."