A 37-year-old man has been told he is to become one of the first men in the country to receive the breast cancer drug Herceptin.

Stuart Weaver, a father of two, of Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, who had a full mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer 16 months ago, was told by Maidstone Weald Primary Care Trust on Monday that he will receive the cancer drug.

The trust’s individual treatment panel, which met in private to discuss a number of cases, agreed to fund the treatment.

Mr Weaver’s wife, Karen, said: “It is incredibly good news, that they have actually said yes. It is such a relief. You cannot quite take it on board but hopefully it will now change things so that other men will also get it. Men didn’t know they could get it.”

A PCT spokeswoman said: “Following careful consideration of Mr Weaver’s individual clinical needs and taking into account the clinical advice of his consultants, we have agreed to fund the drug Herceptin for Mr Weaver’s treatment.

“We have just spoken with Mr Weaver and he was happy with the news.”

Mr Weaver went to the NHS after his private insurer refused to pay for a course of the drug.

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A 37-year-old man suffering from breast cancer is due to learn today whether health officials will provide the cancer drug Herceptin.

Stuart Weaver, from Maidstone, who has undergone a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, claims the drug could double his chances of fighting the disease.

He approached the Maidstone Weald Primary Care Trust after private healthcare insurers refused funding.