AMERICAN research proved that Herceptin could help reduce the spread of cancer by 10 per cent. The treatment targets an overactive gene -- HER2 -- and is effective for 20 per cent of women.

Herceptin is freely available in many countries but, even though it was licensed for use two years ago, it is unobtainable for the majority of cancer patients in Britain.

Only in Birmingham and Merseyside was it available on the NHS due to government test schemes.

Thanks to Michelle's campaign, bosses at the Christie Hospital, Manchester, took the decision to provide it in August without awaiting government ratification.

Most other health authorities, including East Lancashire, fail to provide it.

Surely, the story of Michelle Hilton proves this drug must be available to every breast cancer suffer who it would benefit.

The cost to the NHS would be £10 million per year, a burden to an already-stretched health service budget but worthwhile if it had given Michelle, and others like her, an extra six months with their children and husbands.

Prof Gordon McVie, the director general of the Cancer Research Campaign, said: "Although it has been approved here by the Medical Evaluation Agency, there have been long delays in getting it through the system.

"Herceptin is a smart drug that doesn't work for everyone, but every patient deserves to find out whether they can benefit.

"It is the same old story of drugs that can be of benefit not being made quickly available by the government.

A spokesperson for Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: "Breakthrough believes that women should be offered the best available care and that Herceptin should be available to all who can benefit."

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