Breast Cancer Survivors Seek Government Funding for Hormone Blockers

In a recent development, breast cancer survivors who are ineligible for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) due to their cancer type have voiced a strong appeal for government-funded access to essential post-cancer medications. Marguerite Herlihy, a secondary-school teacher from Aherla and a breast cancer survivor, has become an emblematic figure in this campaign. Diagnosed at the age of 40 with estrogen-positive cancer, Herlihy's condition is exacerbated by hormones, rendering HRT, a common treatment for menopausal symptoms, unsuitable for her. Instead, she relies on hormone blockers, a critical component of her ongoing cancer treatment, which incurs a significant monthly cost under the Drugs Payment Scheme. Herlihy's story sheds light on the broader issue faced by many survivors, who find themselves financially burdened by the cost of life-saving medications, while others receive HRT free of charge from the government. According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), cancer treatments can induce a medical menopause in women, often resulting in more severe and prolonged symptoms compared to natural menopause. The Irish Cancer Society highlights the lack of comprehensive data on the number of women affected by medical menopause post-cancer, underlining the invisibility of this group in the current healthcare debate. Despite the challenges, Herlihy praises the care received from Cork University Hospital and highlights the importance of hormone blockers in preventing cancer recurrence. She also expresses her disappointment at missing out on a clinical trial for an advanced breast cancer drug due to bureaucratic delays. The Irish Cancer Society, in collaboration with University College Cork, has responded to the needs of women like Herlihy by publishing a free booklet offering targeted nutritional advice for those undergoing hormone-blocking treatment. This initiative represents a step towards addressing the unique dietary challenges faced by this patient group. Approximately 3,600 women in Ireland are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, yet the specific needs of those who cannot undergo HRT remain largely unmet. As this issue gains visibility, there is a growing call for policy changes to ensure equitable access to essential medications for all breast cancer survivors.
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