Published on 5 April 2021
Paula Lamb from Newton-le-Willows, is one of the first patients in the UK to receive the Phesgo treatment since NHS England began rolling it out.
Phesgo combines two treatments – pertuzumab and trastuzumab (Herceptin) – that are currently given separately into a single injection. So, instead of having each drug separately as an intravenous infusion (i.e. via a drip) that can take up to two-and-a-half hours, Phesgo only takes around five minutes to prepare and administer a single injection into the thigh.
Paula, 51 was prescribed the treatment by her consultant at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre following a NHS England deal with the manufacturer to make it available at no extra cost.
It is now administered to Paula by the team in the Lilac Centre at St Helens Hospital, see picture below.
Phesgo will now be offered to all eligible patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, which accounts for 15% of all cases. It can be given alongside chemotherapy or by itself.
Read the full story at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre website here.
