THE plight of cancer sufferer Alyson Cooper, who this week started treatment with the wonder drug Herceptin, should never happen again, says a Bolton MP.

Mrs Cooper's case was highlighted in Parliament by David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East.

The breast cancer patient, from Bradshaw, and another patient, Amanda D'argue, from Radcliffe, learned last week they would be given the drug following a meeting of local health chiefs.

Mr Crausby asked that no other woman be put through an agonising wait to learn if they can be given the drug.

In a question to health minister Jane Kennedy, the MP said: "After months of struggling, Alyson Cooper has been allowed to use Herceptin by the Bolton Primary Care Trust.

"But why should she have had to fight for her treatment?"

Mrs Kennedy said Herceptin was not yet licensed and it could have serious side effects.

"We need to ensure it will be safe for routine use and that is the role of the licensing process," she said.

"The National Cancer Research Institute is producing guidelines on the use of Herceptin for early breast cancer prior to licensing.

"I am sure that will be of great help to primary care trusts in considering these decisions."