A GRANDMOTHER battling for access to a life-prolonging cancer drug is out of hospital after suffering breathing difficulties.

Jean Murphy was admitted to Christie Hospital two weeks ago after she had fluid in her lungs discovered during a routine appointment.

The 62-year-old has now been discharged but now has to use an oxygen tank at home, and a mobile one in case she goes out, to help her breathe and a nebuliser.

Despite her health problems Jean, of Cleveland Avenue, Hope, is preparing for another meeting of Salford Primary Care Trust’s commissioning panel at the end of this week to discuss her appeal to their second decision to refuse her the Sutent drug.

Jean, who is a carer for her husband Michael who suffers from diabetes, Crohn’s disease and heart disease, was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year and has been told she has less than two years to live.

Doctors say if she was given Sutent her life could be extended by up to six months.

Earlier this month the PCT decided to stick with an original decision to refuse the drug after being ordered to rethink their first decision by the High Court.

Jean, who is now in her fifth month without treatment, is now appealing this second refusal and a meeting of the PCT’s commissioning panel today, Thursday, July 31, will decide whether to overturn the decision.

Jean, who has already fought off breast cancer, said: "I’m feeling much more tired.

"I’m hoping the meeting will take place as soon as possible, it was supposed to have happened already but it’s been postponed.

"When I went to the court I won, so I thought I would get the Sutent.

"But then they reconsidered and came back with the same decision - how can I win and yet still be in the same situation, it doesn’t make sense."

A spokesperson for the PCT said: "Whenever a decision is taken not to provide funding for a new drug there is always the mechanism of an exceptional circumstances policy in place with commissioners to provide a measured degree of flexibility in cases where there may be exceptional clinical or social circumstances. Decisions to fund or not to fund new expensive therapies of this nature are tough decisions but are at the very cutting edge of how an NHS with finite resources uses those resources most effectively. As a PCT we do not shy away from taking these difficult decisions but see it as an essential part of our role as a commissioning organisation."