Attending a dedicated event in Parliament last week, the DUP MP met with campaigners, healthcare professionals, and women directly affected by incurable breast cancer. The event coincided with the launch of Breast Cancer Now’s detailed report, Setting the Bar Too High, which outlines the barriers within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) system that are preventing access to effective treatments.

Speaking after the event, Carla Lockhart said:

“It was both humbling and inspiring to meet those affected by secondary breast cancer and to hear their stories of strength but also of frustration. These are people who want more time to live, and we have treatments available that could offer that. Yet too often, the system fails them.

“The current NICE framework including the rules around the severity modifier and opportunity cost neutrality is preventing life-extending drugs from being approved. These mechanisms may look logical on paper, but in practice, they are denying people the chance to spend precious months and years with loved ones.

“This is not just a problem for England, Northern Ireland faces exactly the same issues and in some cases, worse. We lag greatly with NICE approvals and our ability owing to the funding difficulties within Stormont, to fund and adopt new treatments is further restricted. That makes this campaign even more urgent for us.

“I fully support Breast Cancer Now’s recommendations and will continue to use my platform at Westminster to raise these concerns with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and to advocate for patients across Northern Ireland and beyond.”

The report includes clear recommendations for the Department of Health and NICE, urging them to reform the decision-making processes that currently fail those living with incurable conditions.