Decision on key breast cancer test delayed

THE final decision on whether public patients will be able to access a breast cancer test that could save up to 500 women from having to endure chemotherapy every 12 months is not expected until towards the end of this year.

Sources close to the evaluation process have confirmed that the National Cancer Control Platform (NCCP) will not make a decision until patient care and clinical reports, among others, are concluded.

These aspects of the ongoing review process will be included with that of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, which over the weekend confirmed it is not recommending the test’s use in the public system due to the high cost involved.