An Oxford woman suffering from cancer will have to go without a life-enhancing drug because the NHS has been told not to prescribe it.

Erythropoietin, a drug used to treat anaemia - a shortage of red cells in the blood resulting in tiredness - in cancer sufferers, will no longer be made available despite the fact that it acts as an alternative to blood transfusions.

The drug has been used to treat anaemia induced cancer treatment in the UK for about 20 years and is widely used in both Europe and the US.

But, after a review by the National Institute For Health And Clinical Excellence (Nice), which advises the Government on whether drugs and treatments should be used by the NHS, it was decided that it would no longer be used to treat cancer-related anaemia.

But Shirley Wakley, of Dovehouse Close, Wolvercote, said erythropoietin, which restores healthy blood cells and boosts the body's energy levels, was life-changing for her.

She said: "Erythropoietin keeps me normal while living with leukaemia. Anaemia isn't just feeling tired - it can totally knock you out.

"For people like me and our dependants, erythroprotien makes a critical difference. Without it, the effect could be devastating, not only on us, but on our contribution to society and the economy."

Anaemia, a common condition found in those suffering from cancer, makes everyday tasks such as doing the ironing and going for walks almost impossible. Haematologist Dr Tim Littlewood, a cancer medicine specialist at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, said: "The drug has not been approved by Nice for further use on the NHS, which means patients will either have to put up with the disabling effects of their anaemia or have a blood transfusion.

"But for some patients with severe anaemia, it can even be a struggle attending hospital for the transfusion."

In the guidelines issued by Nice, they recommend that patients currently receiving the drug should be allowed to come off it slowly in case of adverse affects.

However, since Nice made its decision, cancer support groups have begun a campaign to have the decision overturned.

The campaign, Voice, Vision, Vitality, is being spearheaded by some of the largest cancer groups in the country, who have sent an appeal to Nice and are launching their own campaigning website this month.

Director of the national cancer charity Ovacome, Louise Bayne, said: "Nice's decision does not reflect the benefits of the drug and we feel they have not given enough consideration to how it can improve patients' quality of life. We are hoping our appeal will make them reconsider their decision."

A decision on whether the appeal is successful will be made in June.