After the NHS failed to pay for the bill, Nikki Phelps, who is a cancer stricken mother, had to sell her home and business to pay for cancer drugs.

The victim and her husband Bill have decided to sell the family home and their cattery business to raise the money as they witnessed confusion over NHS funding for cancer drugs.

According to her oncologist at Hammersmith Hospital in west London, a drug named Sutent could help the 37- year old teacher who wants to remain alive as long as possible for her sons Jack and Harry.

This drug was earlier designed to fight kidney cancer, but it deters the growth of other types of tumors as well. Though, the drug is not licensed for use for the rare form of cancer Mrs. Phelps has, but her doctor says that it can be tried.

However, doctors have the liberty to treat patients with cancer drugs that are not licensed for that particular form of the disease. A lot of hospital trusts make use of this as an excuse to refuse funding.

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said, “No one should be forced to sell their home or spend their life savings to pay for healthcare. It is bitterly unfair that people who have paid taxes all their life are unable to get the treatment they need from the NHS”.