Some women with breast cancer are having to obtain loans to pay for their treatment, adding to the stress and trauma of the disease, a founder of the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation told The Times.

One in every five cases of breast cancer is receptive to Herceptin, but a course of the potentially life-saving drug costs about Lm16,000, Helen Muscat said yesterday.

Although the Malta Community Chest Fund helps out, at times funding takes some time to be confirmed, leaving women sufferers and their families in the dark about their future.

Another drug - Arimidex - which has been found to be beneficial when used in conjunction with Tamoxifen, is only given for free to women with a recurring breast cancer. Ms Muscat said those who are battling their first cancer are expected to pay about Lm60 a month to be treated with Arimidex.

"It is especially hard for younger women trying to raise a family but ending up unable to work and worrying where the money they need to save their lives will be coming from," she said.

In an EU-wide survey launched last week, Malta was given poor marks for the deployment speed of new cancer drugs.

"We are not giving women the best chance for survival," Ms Muscat added.

Data from the National Cancer Register show that 245 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, 222 in 2004 and 218 in 2003.

When contacted, Health Minister Louis Deguara said Herceptin was not given to breast cancer sufferers for free because it was not on the list of drugs that are given for free by the government. The drug's approval was "ultimately inevitable" but it was a question of priorities and cost effectiveness. "If we had unlimited resources I don't think it would be a problem, but many countries, like us, have to prioritise."

He said people have to realise they are not the only ones who are sick, adding that even diabetics who have access to a number of drugs and treatment sometimes "complain".

Dr Deguara said the current system - under which drugs for chronic diseases were not means-tested - was creating social injustices.

Asked whether it was time for the whole system to be reviewed, he said he had been saying this for the past three years.

Ms Muscat, a breast care nurse, highlighted the importance of a screening programme for women. She pointed out that the waiting list for a mammogram at the hospital's breast clinic is a year. "There are 13 mammography machines on the island and only one of them is at the public hospital," she was quick to add.

The foundation is considering using its funds to sponsor tests for women at risk. It has already donated a biopsy gun to the Breast Clinic and is sending a nurse from the Breast Clinic to a seminar abroad.

Ms Muscat said the foundation would also like to see all women diagnosed with breast cancer having access to psychological help, something that is not yet routine.

The foundation yesterday launched a new website with information about breast cancer. The site - www.actionforbreastcancer.com - was inaugurated by the Prime Minister's wife, Kate Gonzi, who stressed the importance of early diagnosis.

The site includes a video showing how a breast self-examination should be conducted and is urging people to sign a petition calling for a quality-assured breast care screening programme in Malta, co-founder Esther Sant said during a press conference.

Although breast cancer is one of the biggest causes of death in women over the age of 30, the level of mortality has dropped thanks to advances in medicine, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention director Charmaine Gauci said. She stressed the importance of increasing awareness and information. Singer Ira Losco was chosen as the foundation's ambassador to pass on the message to women, especially the younger ones, to check their breasts regularly. In 2005, three women in their early 30s were diagnosed with breast cancer.

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