5 Things You Need to Know About Take-Home Cancer Treatments
Take-home cancer treatments, or in simpler terms a pill that can be taken outside of the hospital setting, are the future of treating many types of breast cancer (and many types of cancer for that matter). Read on to learn the five most important things to know about these innovative medicines.
1. Treatment is Treatment.
The only difference between a cancer treatment taken by IV in the hospital and a cancer treatment taken at home in pill form, is the way the treatment is taken. Both are effective, and most often patients don’t have a choice – their oncologist prescribes what’s best for their cancer and it may only come in a pill.
2. Pipeline of Promise.
For breast cancer alone, most of the newest treatments are in pill form and taken at home, with more than 10 others expected in the pipeline.
3. Mind the Age Gap.
In Ontario, patients who are under the age of 65 face two different cancer systems. One for IV treatments taken in the hospital that is fully funded. And another for treatments taken in pill form at home that includes delays, administrative challenges and out-of-pocket costs for the patient. If the best treatment for your cancer only comes in a pill, get ready for added stress and a significant hit to your bank account.
4. Go West, Young Woman.
BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba treat cancer drugs equally, regardless if they are taken at home or in the hospital. Patients get their approved treatment without delay or any out-of-pocket cost.
5. Home Sweet Home.
Not only do cancer treatments taken at home offer patients less travel and more time with loved ones, they also can save money to the health care system, keeping patients out of the hospital.
Rethink is a member of the CanCertainty Coalition, the united voice of 35 Canadian patient groups, cancer health charities, and caregiver organizations, which have joined together with oncologists and cancer care professionals to significantly improve the affordability and accessibility of cancer treatment. Learn more at www.CanCertainty.ca.
