Green light for Adam's cancer treatment (From Epsom Guardian)

Green light for Epsom boy's cancer treatment

6:40am Friday 14th May 2010 in News By Eleanor Harding

Adam Bird began new treatment for his rare and aggressive cancer on Monday after the NHS approved funding for an expensive drugs combination.

The six-year-old’s parents breathed a sign of relief when the PCT board finally approved temozolomide and irinotecan, which experts believe could help save his life.

Little Adam has been exceptionally brave this week, taking five capsules every day after lunch before going to Royal Marsden for an hour-long drug infusion.

The drugs make Adam more prone to infection, and cause him to feel aches and pains more easily.

After the five-day course, he will recover for four weeks before undergoing the process again.

Only after that will doctors be able to test whether the drugs have been effective in fighting the cancer cells.

His father, Nick, said: “It came as something of a shock that somebody had to make a decision whether or not to pay for it. But I’m really pleased that the decision has been made quickly.”