HEALTH chiefs have refused to fund life-prolonging drugs for a mother suffering from a form of stomach cancer because she needs a higher than normal dosage.

Maria Yacoub, 37, was diagnosed with a tumor in her stomach in February 2004.

Bromley Primary Care Trust (PCT) began funding for 400mg per day of the drug, at a cost of £18,000 a year.

In October, she had surgery to remove the tumour and funding was withdrawn.

But by February this year, the tumour had returned.

After trying unsuccessfully to treat the tumour with another drug, Mrs Yacoub's doctors at the Royal Marsden Hospital in central London applied to Bromley PCT for an 800mg daily dose of Glivec, at a cost of £36,000 a year.

Novartis, the company which manufactures Glivec, is offering to pay half - providing Bromley PCT funds the rest.

But, despite previously paying for a 400mg dosage, Bromley PCT has refused two appeals for funding and is currently considering a third.

As a consequence, Mrs Yacoub, of Stamford Drive, Bromley, has been paying for the medication herself since June and has already spent £7,500.

The mother-of-one said: "If I don't take the medicine, the tumour will grow, bleed and I will eventually die.

"I'm angry and so disappointed. I feel like I have been given a death sentence.

"In this country nobody gets death sentences, not even killers, but I am being treated second best.

"How can they put a price on life? Why should I have to beg?"

A PCT spokesman said: "Requests for different use of Glivec are considered by the PCT on an individual basis, according to our execeptional treatments policy.

"If a request for funding is not agreed, the patient has a right of appeal."

Without treatment, Mrs Yacoub's cancer could kill her within a year. But with the increased doseage, her life expectancy could be increased by up to 10 years.

The former tour operator says she is considering legal action against the PCT if her latest appeal is refused.

Battle for Tarceva still ongoing

Terminal cancer sufferer Linda Gordon is also battling for drug funding with Bromley PCT.

Earlier this month, Mrs Gordon's solicitors took the Trust to the High Court after it refused to fund the drug Tarceva.

Prior to the September 1 hearing, the Trust agreed to fund it for one month.

Now the course of treatment, which costs £2,500 per month, has ended and the Trust has refused an application for further funding.

Mrs Gordon, of Southborough Lane, Bromley, said: "I am taking them back to court.

"It's a bit like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey.

"I can't get around why they said they'd fund it and then decide they aren't going to bother."

The Trust refused to comment on the matter.