Abraxane is available to pancreatic cancer patients in Scotland and Wales but not England, hence our campaigning efforts. This wasn’t a treatment option for pancreatic cancer when my husband was diagnosed but, had it been, it may have given us more time and that is an option anyone with a terminal illness wishes for. It’s unfair that patients in England are at a huge disadvantage, particularly given that the drug choice for pancreatic cancer is already limited. Disappointingly, NICE had indicated that they would not look at Abraxane again until October 2018. However, evidence has been provided which has prompted NICE to carry out an earlier reappraisal of the drug which is great news and we are obviously hoping this will result in patients in England having access to Abraxane. Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK) are assisting in providing an opinion to NICE and they would welcome input from patients and the family and friends of patients who currently have/have had advanced pancreatic cancer. They would especially welcome input from patients or family and friends of patients who have been treated with Abraxane and they are also looking for the views of patients in Scotland and Wales who currently have access to the drug. Obviously PCUK want to put an informed case forward so if you feel you can help they would be delighted if you would consider completing their survey – the link to which is at the bottom of this note - the survey closes on 3 March 2017. Pancreatic cancer has shockingly low survival rates that have barely improved in 40+ years. It is imperative that patients are given every opportunity to survive for as long as possible and patients in England need to be able to access all of the options that are available to patients elsewhere. We are all desperately hoping that the outcome of NICE’s reappraisal is a positive one for patients in England. Whilst I’m writing, I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported the Hope Is Contagious campaign so far, we are absolutely delighted at the response and the feedback. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer - early diagnosis is key to survival. Clearly pancreatic cancer is a tough one and there is a long way to go but we are in this for the long haul and are committed to doing our little bit towards raising the profile of pancreatic cancer in the hope that future pancreatic cancer patients may have a better outcome than my husband and many others did – thank you for helping us to do this. With very best wishes Maggie