Doctors refuse life saving cancer treatment for former cop because it is too risky

Doctors refuse to treat a tough-as-nails anti-bikie cop who has just days to live – even though life-saving surgery is available and he’s willing to sign a waiver

  • Specialists refused potentially life saving cancer treatment to a former cop 
  • David Roberts has just weeks to live unless he receives experimental treatment
  • But medics are nervous the untested treatment could have adverse affects 

Specialist doctors have refused potentially life saving cancer treatment to a former police officer because they can’t guarantee it will work.

David Roberts, 49, is willing to sign a waiver clearing medics at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred of any wrongdoing should he have an adverse reaction to the experimental medication.

The father-of-three has been given just two weeks left to live after other treatments for his stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma failed.

He said he will likely die whether or not he has the treatment, but wants doctors to give him one last chance at life.  

David Roberts (pictured during treatment) is hoping for one more chance at life after traditional cancer treatments failed 

Mr Roberts (pictured with his younger daughter just a year ago) said his condition deteriorated quickly in the time after this picture was taken

Mr Roberts (pictured with his younger daughter just a year ago) said his condition deteriorated quickly in the time after this picture was taken

The CAR T-cell treatment, which costs $500,000, is currently being tested in clinical trials across the nation, but anyone ‘qualified to administer it isn’t prepared to do so’ in Mr Roberts’ case, The Australian reported.

It requires removing T-blood cells from the body – which doctors have already done for Mr Roberts – before mutating them and reintegrating them back into the patient’s system.

The mutated cells hopefully then fight the cancerous cells on their own. 

But doctors fear the treatment could actually cause him harm or make his condition worse, which would breach their ethical obligations. 

The former NSW detective (pictured during an interview in 2019) appealed for help to get permission to use the treatment, which normally costs $500,000

The former NSW detective (pictured during an interview in 2019) appealed for help to get permission to use the treatment, which normally costs $500,000

David Roberts shared this picture to his social media accounts with his partner in October, telling friends he would continue to fight the cancer

David Roberts shared this picture to his social media accounts with his partner in October, telling friends he would continue to fight the cancer

The well-respected former NSW detective and his family called upon politicians to help him secure the treatment when he first learned of his terminal diagnosis.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt personally lobbied on Mr Roberts’ behalf, as did NSW Police Minister David Elliott, who wrote to PM Scott Morrison asking for his support.  

‘Like every officer who dedicates and often risks his or her life to keep the community safe, the State owes him a debt we can never repay,’ Mr Elliott said. 

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard agreed the government would help cover the cost of the therapy. 

Pictured: Mr Roberts when he was working as a senior detective for the NSW Police Force

Pictured: Mr Roberts when he was working as a senior detective for the NSW Police Force

Mr Roberts’ colleagues described him as a great, case-hardened detective who put people’s lives first in his two-decade career.

He worked his way up from a local cop at the Burwood Local Area Command to the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad and was decorated for his arrests and work ethic.

His daughter Reanna wrote a letter to politicians after his terminal diagnosis, reminding them that her father ‘has been an outstanding civil servant and showcased strength and courage like no other person.

‘This is our last opportunity to save our dad’s life,’ she wrote. 

The news that he will not be granted access to the treatment has shocked Mr Roberts, his family and everyone in his corner who had been lobbying tirelessly.

‘Inaction will mean certain death,’ Mr Roberts said. ‘They’ve already got my T cells harvested and ready to go. Instead of giving me a chance, why would they let me… die when there is another option?’ 

Mr Roberts cannot travel overseas to find a doctor willing to administer the treatment because he is quickly deteriorating.

But the Sydney Local Health District is standing by its decision.

A spokeswoman said: ‘We must ensure experiment­al treatments are safe and approp­riate for the patients involved­. The decision not to proceed­ with treatment has been made by a panel of national expert­s in this field.’

 



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