Linda Nolan has revealed that a groundbreaking cancer drug currently blocked by the NHS could be her last hope in the fight against the disease.
The 65-year-old singer shared the heartbreaking news that doctors have told her her tumors have “grown” because her treatment is “no longer working” and that she will soon begin a course of the breast cancer drug Enhertu.
In an interview with The MirrorLinda said that while it is “wonderful” that she can get the drug, it is terrible that many other women have had to miss out.
Enhertu is currently not available in healthcare in England because the manufacturers and the NHS spending regulator could not agree on a price.
She said of the treatment: ‘It’s great to be able to try a new drug. I wish everyone had this opportunity.’
Linda Nolan has revealed that a groundbreaking cancer drug currently blocked by the NHS could be her last hope in the fight against the disease
“To be able to try this is hope – it’s a plan B that not everyone is allowed. To deprive women of this drug is to take away their hope.”
Linda is happy with the new medication, but she fears the side effects after doctors told her it was a ‘possibility’ that she would lose her hair. This is the fifth time Linda has undergone chemotherapy during her years.
However, the brave star is trying to maintain a positive attitude, stressing that she is willing to ‘try everything’. She has done this before, so she can ‘do it again’.
Linda was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2005, and was given the all-clear in 2006. But in 2017, she was diagnosed with an incurable secondary cancer in her hip, which spread to her liver in 2020.
Last year she announced that the cancer had spread to her brain, with two tumors discovered on the left side of her brain, causing her to have difficulty with speech and balance.
Although the disease appeared stable in Linda’s recent updates, her latest prognosis has brought the devastating news that two of her largest tumors have grown in size and more cancerous sites have been found.
In a new interview, Linda admitted she was left “crying” when her doctor told her the results, saying she wished the cancer would “leave her alone.”
She told The Mirror: ‘I cried when my consultant first told me. I know so many people suffer and go through things, but I thought, for once, could cancer just leave me alone? My heart sank.’
She detailed how she suspected something was wrong beforehand: ‘I was afraid something was wrong. My balance has gotten worse and my memory – my sisters have to warn me if I lose track in the middle of a sentence.’
The singer shared the heartbreaking news that doctors have told her her tumors have “grown” and she will soon start a new treatment with the breast cancer drug Enhertu.
In an interview with The Mirror, Linda said that while it is “wonderful” that she can get the drug, it is devastating that many other women have missed out.
Linda said she was accompanied to the appointment by her sister Maureen and her MacMillan nurse and that she immediately asked her specialist if the cancer had spread.
After this was confirmed, she said she immediately asked what the next treatment would be.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence previously said the cost the NHS was paying for trastuzumab deruxtecan – known as Enhertu – was “too high”.
Research using the drug showed that the time it could keep cancer under control was extended from seven months to more than two years. Experts called the results “astonishing.”
The charity Breast Cancer Now said it was “devastated and angry” that patients “have been left in the middle of a stalemate over costs and a system that is robbing them of precious hope”.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said it was “deeply disappointed” it could not recommend the drug because of its price.
However, the companies behind the drug called on the NHS watchdog to ‘evolve’ the way treatments are assessed.
Enhertu is the first approved targeted treatment for patients with HER2-low breast cancer that cannot be removed with surgery or that has spread to other parts of the body, also called metastatic breast cancer.
In Linda’s recent updates, her latest prognosis has revealed the devastating news that two of her largest tumors have grown in size, while more cancerous sites have been found
Chemotherapy is commonly offered as a treatment, but if targeted therapy had been available, approximately 1,000 patients would have been eligible each year.
While the NHS in England blocked the use of the drug, it is allowed in Scotland.
In April, Linda announced that she always wants to ‘get the most out of life’, despite her battle with cancer.
In an interview, she said that she is mainly focused on ‘making memories’ with her family and that she fills her agenda with fun plans.
She told The Mirror that she and her family have had a series of ‘knee-ups’ since her birthday celebration in February, including her niece Amy’s birthday, her sister Coleen’s birthday and St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Linda told the publication: ‘The WhatsApps are flying. As I said to my counsellor, it’s a strange life in my head. Let alone tumours, sometimes it feels like there are worms wriggling around in it.
‘I want to constantly get the most out of life; making memories, enjoying every moment and making sure everyone enjoys their time with me.
Just a few days ago, Linda’s sister Coleen said it has become a daily ritual for her to check for signs of cancer every day, after the tragic impact the disease has had on her family.
This week I realize that maybe I’m putting too much pressure on everything. Can you have too much fun? No. But life doesn’t stop teaching you lessons, does it? And just when you think you’ve got that cancer malarkey under control.
Just a few days ago, Linda’s sister Coleen shared that it has become a daily ritual for her to check herself every day for signs of cancer, following the tragic impact the disease has had on her family.
The Loose Women presenter, who is one of six sisters herself, candidly admitted she is terrified she could be the next member of the family to be struck by the disease.
Cancer has had a huge impact on the Nolan family after the sisters lost Bernie, 52, in 2013 after a three-year battle with breast cancer.
Meanwhile, Anne, 73, and Linda have both also battled breast cancer.
Speaking with The Mirror Coleen spoke candidly about the preventative measures she takes, explaining: ‘We’ve had so much grief… I always check. I’m still like, “What if I missed it?”
Cancer has hit the Nolan family hard after the sisters lost Bernie, 52, in 2013 after a three-year battle with breast cancer. Meanwhile, both Anne, 73, and Linda, 65, have also both battled breast cancer
In 2013, Bernie Nolan passed away after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Despite receiving a positive result, the disease returned in 2012.
“When I’m in the shower, I feel it and check it. If I ever think, ‘I don’t like that,’ I go straight to the doctor. And they say, ‘It’s fine, it’s a small cyst or an infection.’
Coleen hopes she won’t get the disease, but she explains that if she does get sick, she wants to find out as soon as possible.
She admitted how much she spends on healthcare: ‘My breast specialist costs £225 a year. People say, “It’s fine for you, you’ve got money”. But you could probably spend that amount in a year on takeaways, in the pub or on cigarettes.’
The TV star pays for regular appointments with a breast specialist, in addition to her NHS mammogram every two years.