We strongly believe the drugs have kept my mother alive

Joe Curaba

The family, from Roydon, hopes to claim back some of the cost of the treatment from the local health authority.

So far, the North Essex Health Authority has refused to pay.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of Mrs Curaba's case.

"We are in on-going discussions with her consultant as to whether the treatment she needs is available in this country."

If a supply of the drugs, such as Herceptin, can be found in the UK, then the cost of travelling abroad will not be reimbursed.

The first drug Mrs Curaba was given was Taxotere in January 1999.

Although it could be obtained in the UK, health experts did not make it routinely available until more than year later.

Mrs Curaba's family say that would have been too late for their mother.

Her son Joe said: "We strongly believe the drugs have kept my mother alive."

The family say they have even been forced to do their own research to find out where treatment is available abroad.

In early February the family will return to Paris, their 40th trip across the Channel, for a course of treatment costing £1,600.