THE wonder drug Avastin has meant that cancer sufferer Hayley Newbery will have a potentially life-saving operation within a week. The mum-of-three, of Greengage Rise, Melbourn, was the focus of media attention last year after she won her battle to receiv

THE wonder drug Avastin has meant that cancer sufferer Hayley Newbery will have a potentially life-saving operation within a week.

The mum-of-three, of Greengage Rise, Melbourn, was the focus of media attention last year after she won her battle to receive the drug on the NHS.

The 26-year-old was given just two years to live unless she was given the drug - but it was at a cost of £48,000.

But the Royston, Buntingford and Bishop's Stortford Primary Care Trust agreed to fund the drug because of her "exceptional circumstances".

Dr Malcolm Perkin, the trust's public health director, said at the time: "Because of the circumstances of Hayley's medical condition, the panel met in special session.

"It heard from Mrs Newbery's oncologist and decided to fund the use of the drug in this case."

After just one dose of the drug, Hayley's tumours had diminished remarkably and they have now shrunk enough for her to have an operation.