PEOPLE fighting cancer across North Yorkshire will be able to access more life-extending drugs as part of a new NHS initiative.

Cancer specialists in Yorkshire and the Humber have been given access to a £5.3 interim cancer drugs fund, as part of a government initiative, which means treatments that were previously considered too expensive will now be made available.

A list of treatments has been drawn up by experts based on their clinical and cost effectiveness and the rarity of the cancer to be treated.

Between October last year and March, 176 patients from the region were given medication which was previously unavailable.

Anyone who could benefit from the drugs can now be prescribed them by their oncologist, without having to apply for funding.

Professor Chris Welsh, NHS Yorkshire and the Humber’s medical director, said: "The cancer drug fund has enabled us to draw up a list of those treatments which were previously unavailable and patients are now benefiting from them.

"These drugs do not offer a cure for cancer but what they do give is valuable time for patients to spend with their loved ones.

"Patients who think they may benefit should speak to their cancer clinician."

The Department of Health has made a total £20m available to be spent over the coming year on life prolonging cancer drugs across the UK.