A CANCER patient from Derbyshire is the first person in the world to be given a breakthrough drug to stop the spread of asbestos-related tumours.

Bernard Dean was given 18 months to live after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in January last year but hopes the drug could extend his life by months or even years.

Mr Dean was desperate to tackle his illness so he put himself forward for the trial of the drug LDE225, taking place in Leicester.

The 61-year-old, of Stevens Road, Sandiacre, said: "If this drug works, it will give so much hope to others.

"That's what I want readers to understand."

Leicester cancer specialist Dr Anne Thomas said the drug was "exciting", adding: "It offers people like Mr Dean the hope there may be treatments out there.

"It could stabilise somebody's condition so they could be on it for months, perhaps years."

The Government recently announced an improved compensation scheme for people with asbestos-related cancer.

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