Breast Cancer Pill Breakthrough: 5 Life-Changing Benefits of NHS’s Game-Changing Approval

The breast cancer pill capivasertib, hailed as “game-changing,” will now be offered on the NHS in England and Wales, following a dramatic U-turn by the medicines watchdog, NICE, announced on April 10, 2025. This decision could transform the lives of around 3,000 women annually with advanced hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has specific genetic mutations. By slowing disease progression, this twice-daily pill offers hope and precious time to those facing a devastating diagnosis. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of this approval, how the drug works, and what it means for patients and families.

Table of Contents

1. Why the Breast Cancer Pill Approval Matters
2. What Is Capivasertib and How Does It Work?
3. The NHS U-Turn: A Victory for Patients
4. Who Can Benefit from This Treatment?
5. Challenges and Next Steps for Access
6. Conclusion: A New Dawn for Breast Cancer Care

Why the Breast Cancer Pill Approval Matters

Breast cancer remains the UK’s most common cancer, affecting one in seven women in their lifetime, with over 56,000 new cases yearly. For those with advanced forms, treatment options often focus on extending life and improving quality rather than curing the disease. The approval of capivasertib, also known as Truqap, marks a pivotal moment, offering a targeted therapy that can delay progression by months—time that means everything to patients and their loved ones.

The decision reverses NICE’s initial rejection in January 2025, which sparked outcry from charities like Breast Cancer Now. Described as a “landmark moment” by experts, this breast cancer pill could redefine care for thousands, highlighting the power of advocacy and scientific innovation The Guardian.

What Is Capivasertib and How Does It Work?

Capivasertib, developed by AstraZeneca, is a twice-daily oral breast cancer pill designed for HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with specific genetic mutations (PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes). It works by blocking the AKT protein, a molecule that fuels cancer cell multiplication. By inhibiting this protein, the drug slows or halts disease spread, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional therapies like chemotherapy.

Clinical trials show capivasertib, combined with hormone therapy fulvestrant, extends the time before cancer worsens by an average of 4.2 months (7.3 months versus 3.1 months with placebo). In some cases, it shrank tumors in a quarter of patients. Professor Nicholas Turner from the Institute of Cancer Research called it a “huge breakthrough,” noting its ability to give patients more time before intensive treatments are needed.

The NHS U-Turn: A Victory for Patients

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) initially rejected capivasertib, citing cost concerns, which led to delays that frustrated patients and advocates. Following negotiations with AstraZeneca, NICE reversed its stance, approving the drug through the Cancer Drugs Fund for immediate use in England, with Wales expected to follow. This breast cancer pill approval is a triumph of persistence, with Breast Cancer Now’s Claire Rowney emphasizing the need for faster drug approvals to avoid such setbacks.

Helen Knight, NICE’s director of medicines evaluation, acknowledged the “devastating impact” of advanced breast cancer, praising AstraZeneca’s cooperation to ensure the drug is cost-effective for taxpayers. The decision means eligible patients can access capivasertib without the financial burden of private treatment, which costs £77,000 annually at list price.

Who Can Benefit from This Treatment?

The breast cancer pill targets a specific group: women with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer that has spread and carries mutations in the PIK3CA, AKT1, or PTEN genes. These mutations occur in about half of patients with this cancer type, affecting up to 3,000 women yearly in England and Wales. The treatment is most effective for those whose cancer has progressed despite hormone therapy, offering a new line of defense.

Not every patient will qualify, as genetic testing is required to confirm eligibility. NHS England is now tasked with implementing prompt testing to ensure swift access. For patients like Linda Kelly, 67, who told the BBC the pill gave her “four years of extra time” to cycle and travel, capivasertib has been life-changing, proving its real-world impact.

Challenges and Next Steps for Access

While the approval is a milestone, hurdles remain. Breast Cancer Now has called for urgent improvements in genetic testing to identify eligible patients quickly, warning that delays could limit the drug’s reach. The Scottish Medicines Consortium is yet to approve capivasertib, leaving patients north of the border in limbo. Advocates also point to broader issues, as delays in approving other breast cancer drugs, like Enhertu, have left some patients without options.

The NHS must balance innovation with budget constraints, a challenge highlighted by NICE’s rigorous cost-effectiveness standards. Claire Rowney stressed that “this happens too often,” urging systemic changes to streamline approvals. For now, the focus is on rolling out capivasertib efficiently while pushing for UK-wide access to ensure no one misses out on this breast cancer pill’s benefits.

Conclusion: A New Dawn for Breast Cancer Care

The NHS’s approval of capivasertib is a beacon of hope for 3,000 women facing advanced breast cancer each year in England and Wales. This game-changing breast cancer pill offers not just extra months but the chance to live fuller, richer lives—whether gardening, traveling, or cherishing family moments. While challenges like testing and equitable access persist, this victory shows what’s possible when science, advocacy, and policy align. If you or a loved one could benefit, talk to your healthcare provider about genetic testing today. Together, we can celebrate this step forward and keep pushing for faster, fairer access to life-saving treatments.