Avastin treats colorectal cancer, can cost up to $2,500 for single treatment

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By Nick Moore
Times & Transcript Staff

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FREDERICTON - New Brunswickers with colorectal cancer will soon have one less battle to wage following a diagnosis.

On Dec. 1, Avastin -- an intravenous cancer drug which can run as much as $2,500 for one single treatment -- will have its costs covered by the provincial government.

Yesterday's announcement by Health Minister Mary Schryer makes New Brunswick one of the last provinces in Canada to cover the drug's costs, following years of lobbying from patients.

The Department of Health says the estimated cost to cover Avastin would be $3.4 million for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

"I've been watching the file very closely," said Schryer. "I have a constituent in my riding that has been speaking to me about it and others constituents. My heart ached for them."

When she was named health minister in June, Schryer said ensuring provincial coverage for Avastin would be a priority.

Schreyer defended the province's refusal to provide such drug coverage sooner, saying the merits of the drug had to be investigated first.

Barry D. Stein, president of the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, said Avastin has to-date been noted to have major benefits for patients in their fight against colorectal cancer.

"The basis of it is that it cuts the blood supply to the tumour," he said. "For those people who are benefiting from the drug, it prolongs their lives a median of five to six months, but there's many people who benefit for many years."

Stein said Prince Edward Island is the only other province that doesn't provide coverage for Avastin.

He added that even in Manitoba, where there isn't any official public funding of Avastin, no one who needs it is denied.

Stein said New Brunswick may comparatively be near the back of providing true access to colorectal cancer treatments, but said yesterday's drug coverage announcement would make great strides.

"I think we'll see some very quick catch-up here in New Brunswick," he said.

In addition to the drug coverage confirmation, Schryer also made official the government's commitment to establish a provincewide colorectal cancer screening program.

The design and implementation of the program would span the next three fiscal years and cost an estimated $3 million annually once fully in operation.

Exact details of the program still need to be ironed out. However, it's expected the screening program will be carried out through a fecal occult blood test conducted every two years for those between the ages of 50 and 74. Those people would likely be notified by letter that they're eligible to be screened.

Through a fecal occult blood test, a stool sample is checked for microscopic blood which might signal a polyp. Not all colon polyps cause cancer but that's where many cancers get their start. A polyp can be surgically removed if detected early enough through the test.

Of course, the screening process would only be successful if people stepped forward for the test.

"When one is weighing the difficulties and challenges of facing cancer and the fact you can die from it versus a very simple test to prevent it, I think common sense will prevail," said Stein.

Newfoundland and Labrador is now the only province that doesn't have a colorectal cancer screening program either in place or in the making.

If the colon cancer is detected early enough, the survival rate can be as encouraging as 90 per cent.

It is estimated 540 New Brunswickers will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and about 220 people in the province die annually from it.

* With files from the Canadian Press