The Government is committed to improving survival rates for people with cancer. As a member of the Women and Equalities Committee, I am particularly concerned with and sensitive to action that could improve women’s health issues, including breast cancer. As such, my constituent’s concerns about the potential use of bisphosphonates for breast cancer treatment are of special interest to me.
Under our current national prescribing arrangements, bisphosphonates can be prescribed to prevent secondary breast cancer. Decisions about the funding of bisphosphonates for this use are taken by local clinical commissioning groups, which is appropriate as those groups are best placed to understand local need for these treatments.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently updating its advice to the NHS on the diagnosis and management of early and locally advanced breast cancer. The use of bisphosphonates is included in its scope and will be considered as part of the update, which is expected in July 2018. I trust that this serious matter is being handled with all appropriate consideration and concern, and I look forward to any advancements in treatment that are reflected in the update.