The Department of Health estimates 5,000 of the 35,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK could be treated.Roche, the company that makes Herceptin, has not yet applied for a licence for its use in early-stage breast cancer because it is still amassing the huge amount of data required by the authorities. It is administered nine to 12 months after diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy.
On Monday, Barbara Clark, a nurse with early-stage breast cancer, succeeded in her campaign to be treated with Herceptin by her local NHS trust. The same day, a report showed Britain has one of the worst records in Europe for treating people with cancer.But starting today, all women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will be tested to see if their tumours carry a protein called HER2, which indicates whether a patient may benefit from Herceptin. Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Health, announced the move, expected to cost £100m a year, after criticism that life-saving drugs are being denied because of delays in the official approval process. Herceptin is available on the NHS only for women with advanced breast cancer, despite evidence that it can be effective for those diagnosed early. All women with early-stage breast cancer are to be tested to see if they are suitable for the drug Herceptin, the Government has ruled This could save the lives of 1,000 women a year.

The World Health Organisation warned in a report yesterday that the number of lives claimed by diabetes in the UK is set to grow by a quarter over the next decade, driven by rising obesity and inactivity.. Unlike other health threats, the death of tens of thousands of people is inevitable. Doctors describe it as a catastrophe waiting to happen. The accelerating rise in the number of people with diabetes threatens to overwhelm the NHS and could lead to the first reduction in life expectancy for more than 200 years. Specialists report increasing numbers of overweight teenagers turning up in diabetes clinics with a disease that a generation ago was confined to people over 40..

One of the most alarming features is the growing number of children affected. A diet of fast foods, high in fats and calories, eaten by people who take the car rather than walk is to blame. The epidemics of obesity and Type II, or late-onset diabetes, are rising in parallel, driven by modern lifestyles. Millions of people now use alternative therapies in the UK and about half of GPs provide access to treatments.The Prince, who is a supporter of alternative medicine, has not had any involvement in the report since it was commissioned.Mr Smallwood is a former chief economics advisor to Barclays Bank.. It includes the views of health professionals and case studies where medicines have been used.Some mainstream therapies, such as osteopathy and acupuncture, could have a larger role in NHS care, the report will say.But the benefits of homeopathy, a system which uses natural ingredients to treat like with like, are more questionable.The demand for alternative therapies grows year on year. Patients with conditions such as back pain and stress can benefit from some of the alternative therapies, the report by economist Christopher Smallwood will say.
But there is a shortage of treatments such as acupuncture and osteopathy in poor areas, it will say.The report, which Charles commissioned nine months ago, is an overview of available evidence about complementary therapies.

After the [previous] positive, I’ve got to be very careful – I can’t even take an orange juice.” A player who tests positive for a banned substance is not named until the tennis administrators decide a suspension is in order.. Complementary therapies should play a greater role in the NHS, a report commissioned by the Prince of Wales will say today. Guillermo Canas, Guillermo Coria and Juan Ignacio Chela served suspensions, and Martin Rodriguez was docked ATP points and prize-money.Puerta added: “Nobody from the ATP or ITF has called me. Five Argentinian players have failed drugs tests in the past five years. Puerta has previously served a nine-month drugs ban so he could face a life ban if the test is confirmed.”I’m really angry,” Puerta said “I’ve started investigations with my lawyers. There’s no truth in it.” Puerta, 26, was banned in 2003 when he tested positive for the anabolic steroid clenbuterol.

The French sports daily, L’Equipe, said the world No 10 provided a positive test for the stimulant etilefrine. If this week goes according to plan, I’ll be ready to do that in Vienna.”Mariano Puerta, of Argentina, who lost the French Open final to the Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal in June, denied yesterday that he tested positive for a banned substance at the tournament. Henman, who has not played since losing in the first round at the US Open in August, has accepted a wild card for the Vienna event “My back is getting better by the day,” Henman said. “If I really push myself this week and don’t suffer any adverse reaction, then I’m sure I’ll be ready to play.”The winner of the tournament in 2000, Henman is keen to return to action.