BREAST cancer drug herceptin could be available to early-stage sufferers in Redbridge by the end of the year.

The drug has been available for treatment of advanced stages of breast cancer since 2002 but now the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is reviewing its use in the early stages of the disease.

Redbridge Primary Care Trust (PCT) currently follows the process agreed by the North East London Cancer Network.

To date, Redbridge PCT has approved five cases for treatment.