Call for evidence on breast cancer medicine fulvestrant (Faslodex)

Dear All

Please take a few moments to read the below and help us to gather the information.  If you have any questions about the medication in question you can read all about it in our free factsheetor please do call our Support line 0828 800 6000.

The pharmaceutical company that manufactures the breast cancer medicine fulvestrant (Faslodex) recently submitted an application to the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) so it can be made available for use on NHS Scotland.

The indication for the medicine is for the treatment of post-menopausal women with oestrogen receptor positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer for disease relapse on or after adjuvant antioestrogen therapy, or disease progression on therapy with an antioestrogen.

As part of the SMC’s process for considering new medicines the pharmaceutical company has requested it is evaluated as part of a Patient And Clinician Engagement (PACE) process.

Breast Cancer Care Scotland has been asked to submit a Patient Interest Group submission on Fulvestrant (Faslodex). This will involve seeking views from patients on the effectiveness of the medicine and the improvements it has made to their quality of life.

We would like to hear from women who have experience of using fulvestrant (Faslodex) as well as family members or carers who have supported women receiving the medicine.

We would like to collect information in response to the following questions:

-   How does your condition affect you or your family member/ person you care for on a daily basis?

-   Has fulvestrant (Faslodex) improved your quality of life and experience of care, and if so, how?

-   What has been the impact on your family or carers as a result of you using fulvestrant (Faslodex)?

-   Are there any disadvantages of fulvestrant (Faslodex) and how have these affected you or the person you care for?

-   Is there anything else you would wish to say about this medicine or access to medicines for breast cancer?

Please respond to Nicolas White, Head of Scotland at Breast Cancer Care, before Tuesday 27 October if you would like to help us gather this evidence for this submission.

Email: nicolas.white@breastcancercare.org.uk

I have been receiving injections of Fulvestrant since 31/7/15, as part of my treatment on the MANTA trial. I receive the monthly injections alongside a 2x 35mg daily dose of the trial drug AZD2014.

 

I am therefore unable to say how much of my stability is due to Fulvestrant or attributable to the AZD2014.

 

Fulvestrant has resulted in minimal side effects. I have also found the injections tolerable.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you feel that I can be of further assistance.

 

Julia