Kiwi mum pleads with UK PM over cancer battle

Sally Roberts, right, and her son Neon. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealand mother has written an open letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron, pleading with him to intervene in her battle to prevent her son receiving radiotherapy for a brain tumour.

Sally Roberts, now living in England, has been fighting to arrange alternative treatment for seven-year-old Neon, who was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in October.

Now, in what she described as a "last resort'', Mrs Roberts has written to Mr Cameron begging him to "save'' Neon "before it's too late''.

"As our Prime Minister, you have the power and authority to overturn the NHS' [National Health Service] decision, and arrange for Neon's safe passage to America to start the Proton Beam Therapy and other therapies immediately.''

Mrs Roberts said her heart was "torn apart'' when she was told Neon had brain cancer, but now it had been "ripped to shreds helplessly watching him suffer''.

"Even the close bond and trust we had is quickly slipping away, due to the separation and confusion surrounding his care.''

Mrs Roberts requested a private audience with Mr Cameron or the Secretary of State for Health to relay her concerns.

"Mr Cameron, the power is in your hands to end this blatant miscarriage of justice and save my son today.''

Mrs Roberts fears radiotherapy will affect Neon's intelligence, shorten his life, put him at risk of having strokes and make him infertile.

He started radiotherapy after a High Court judge dismissed her case following medical evidence that Neon would die within three months if denied it.

Mrs Roberts took Neon and went into hiding, prompting a nationwide search. Since they were found Neon has been living with his father.

The judge in in the High Court case said he was worried Mrs Roberts' judgment had "gone awry'' over the seriousness of the threat to her son's life.

He had a cancerous brain tumour removed in October and a second operation to remove more cancerous cells last month.