NEWS that a cancer wonder drug will be free on the NHS by next summer has come too late for two Bolton sufferers.

Alyson Cooper, aged 45, and Amanda Dargue, aged 39, who each have two children, were diagnosed with aggressive forms of breast cancer earlier this year.

Both are undergoing gruelling chemotherapy, but have been told they cannot have the wonder drug Herceptin once their treatment is over because it will not be available on the NHS in time.

Health secretary Patricia Hewitt on Wednesday announced plans to make Herceptin available for early-stage breast cancer sufferers.

But the drug is not currently licensed and will only be prescribed in July 2006 at the earliest.

Mrs Cooper, who has worked as a nurse for the past 25 years and has vowed to raise the £21,000 for her own treatment, said: "The news is a step in the right direction for future breast cancer sufferers, but is no good for me. I would need Herceptin within the next month for it to have a lasting effect.

"This drug has been shown to prevent further recurrence and it should be available now for every woman who meets the criteria."

Where Herceptin is currently available, it is only for women with advanced breast cancer as a means of prolonging their life, if they are found to be receptive to the drug.

But it is not yet licensed for women who are diagnosed as having early-stage breast cancer and who have a chance of long-term survival.

Mrs Dargue, of Winchester Road, Radcliffe, has already had a mastectomy and is now having chemotherapy at the Christie Hospital, ahead of 15 sessions of radiotherapy.

And she is furious the drug is not already available on the NHS.

She said: "I think this is appalling. It's all about the money, but how can you put a price on someone's life?

"I can't believe this drug, that could save women's lives, isn't available on the NHS because of red tape and bureaucracy. It isn't only me that's suffering. What I've been through I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."

Yesterday Mrs Hewitt announced all women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer would be tested for the HER2 receptor, which will indicate whether they are suitable for treatment with Herceptin. As soon as the drug is licensed it will be fast-tracked through the NHS.

There are 35,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year and about 20,000 will be eligible for these tests, with 5,000 likely to benefit from Herceptin.

Mrs Hewitt said: "Herceptin has the potential to save many women's lives and I want to see it in widespread use on the NHS. I share the frustration of many women about the delays in getting it licensed.

"I am determined to take action, and this represents a major step forward in our fight against cancer."