If a drug or treatment, which you think would help control your cancer, isn’t available from your PCT (primary care trust), it can be difficult to know what to do.

To begin with, it’s important to talk to your cancer specialist. You can then both decide if it really is the best treatment for you. This will depend on different things, like the stage of your cancer, any other treatments you’ve had, and what the side effects are likely to be.

If you want to apply to your local PCT for a treatment you will need to follow the procedures they set. These are different for every PCT. Some have leaflets or information on their websites explaining what you should do. Your specialist will also explain the local process to you.

Some people may consider other options, like paying for drugs or treatments that they cannot get on the NHS.