Two of the most common cancers in England could soon be treated with a new 'live-saving' targeted therapy drug.
Thanks to the NHS having now agreed a new “landmark” commercial deal, hundreds of patients with breast cancer and advanced prostate cancer across the country could be set to benefit from the roll-out of olaparib – a potentially “life-changing” drug also known by its brand name Lynparza®.
Around 550 men with advanced prostate cancer, and 300 women with HER2-negative early breast cancer, will be eligible for this new drug each year in England, according to the NHS.
Olaparib targets cancers with mutations in the BRCA genes, and works by stopping cancer cells from being able to repair their DNA by blocking a molecule called PARP, which causes the cancerous cells to die.
The NHS has agreed a landmark deal to roll out a targeted therapy for inherited breast and prostate cancers.
Clinical trials have shown that olaparib can extend the lives of advanced prostate cancer patients by an average of six months, while giving olaparib after chemotherapy to BRCA-mutant HER2-negative early breast cancer (OlympiA) patients was shown to have reduced the relative risk of the disease returning within four years by nearly a third.
This is why the NHS says it has this week negotiated a commercial deal with UK-based manufacturer AstraZeneca to enable the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to make “a positive recommendation” of the drug for treatment of BRCA-mutated breast and prostate cancers in England.
Thanks to funding from the Cancer Drugs Fund, the NHS will now be able to offer olaparib for the two new breast and prostate cancer indications straight away.
Image: NHS England
Speaking on the approval of the drug, Amanda Pritchard – Chief Executive of NHS England – said: “Olaparib could have a huge impact on patients with a range of cancer types, giving many a better chance of survival while offering those with advanced forms of the disease precious extra months to live.
“Reaching this landmark deal is not only incredible news for patients and their families but is another example of the NHS using its commercial capabilities that is good value for taxpayers.
“It will help us to continue to transform cancer care across the country”.
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Channel 4 needs people from Yorkshire who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wondered how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now's your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: "Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?"
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city - used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare - with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden - which is part of ITV Studios - for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on people from Yorkshire with the 'courage and ingenuity' to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let's prove what we're made of.
Applications close on Sunday 4 October 2026 at midnight, and you must be 18 or above, with a valid UK or ROI passport, to enter.
Clementine Hall -
7th April 2023 
