Ann Marie Rogers

Ann Marie Rogers

Ann Marie Rogers (died 2 March 2009) was a British campaigner who fought a successful landmark court battle to receive the breast cancer drug Herceptin on the NHS.[1] Herceptin (Trastuzumab) is a treatment for women with breast cancer whose tumors have too much HER2 protein. This type of cancer is known as "HER2-positive", "HER2+", or "HER2 overexpressing". HER2+ tumors tend to grow and spread more quickly than tumors that are not HER2+.

Following her diagnosis with the disease, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, Swindon Primary Care Trust refused to pay for the Herceptin, which might extend her life.[2] Rogers borrowed £5,000 to pay for the drug herself. The drug has been praised by some oncological specialists as "the biggest breakthrough in 20 years".[3] She decided to go further and pursued legal action. She originally lost her High Court case, but carried the fight to the Court of Appeal in April 2006, which overturned the original ruling.[4][5][6]

The Irwin Mitchell law firm[7] represented Ms Rogers throughout her legal battle, and praised Rogers after her death, stating that her courage had paved the way for thousands of women throughout the UK to benefit from Herceptin.[8] The drug was fast-tracked for use on the NHS as a result.[9]

In 2006, Herceptin was approved[10] for the adjuvant treatment of HER2+ breast cancer.[11]

Death

Ann Marie Rogers died 2 March 2009, aged 57; survived by her three children.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Add to Timeline (2009-03-06). "Tribute site to Rogers". Lastingtribute.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  2. ↑ http://www.careandhealthlaw.com/Public/Index.aspx?ContentID=-66&IndexType=1&TopicID=467&Category=1
  3. ↑ Profile of Ann Marie Rogers, Daily Mail
  4. ↑ Jenny Hope (2009-03-06). "Court of Appeal ruling in Rogers' favor". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  5. ↑ "BBC report on Rogers". BBC News. 2006-02-15. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  6. ↑ "BBC video interview with Rogers". BBC News. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  7. ↑ "'Proud' Family Pay Tribute As Herceptin Battle Woman Loses Fight For Life". Irwinmitchell.com. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  8. ↑ "''The Times'' article on Rogers' battle". Timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  9. ↑ "coverage of Rogers' battle". BBC News. 2006-06-09. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  10. ↑ approved Archived August 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ↑ "BBC report on Rogers' legal victory". BBC News. 2006-04-12. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  12. ↑ "BBC report of Rogers' death". BBC News. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2013-06-16.

Tributes


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