Cancer

[bernadette86]

hi those of you in south aus who read todays paper may have read or noticed a couple rob and angela stevens. rob is dying from prostate cancer, there is a drug readily available at unlimited supply to women. but restricted for men. he has to be pay $30,000 for more treatment but women get it as much as they want please vote on this site i have pasted below.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/s...-1225847169195

this man just so happens to ber my grandfathers best friend. we need better care for men with cancer. ill update an address of someone in parliament we could email to get some action happening

thank you for your help

Dennis Freebairn

[Fev]

Why on earth would they deny men more treatment?? What a stupid law!!

[Mad Maxine]

Because the people who lobby the government to have drugs put onto the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (which is subsidised by the Govt, I think) have to outline the conditions of use of the drug in a very strict manner. In this example, I'm betting the drug is something commonly used in female cancers so it may have been described in the lobby document as such. Any other use 'outside' the nominated description means the subsidy (cheap price and ready availability) won't be applied.

I know, because I'm going blind and am not eligible for a treatment that could save the sight in my left eye because I am not aged 60 or over.

MM

[SB076]

Done hope it all goes well.

Interesting in this day and age the general population cant discriminate on age or sex, but for some reason the health system can.
Mad Maxine why you have to wait until you are aged 60 or over is beyond me hope it all goes well and some changes can be made.

[MO]

Interesting,I'm starting my Taxotere treatment tomorrow,I shall ask if there is a cut off point for the number of treatments you get free. My cancer is the same as the guy in the article.

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by MO

My cancer is the same as the guy in the article.

And I am hoping that you get well, come what may.

[MO]

Originally Posted by JG66ME

And I am hoping that you get well, come what may.

Thanks, they tell me it wont cure it but it will slow it right down.

[MO]

Originally Posted by MO

Interesting,I'm starting my Taxotere treatment tomorrow,I shall ask if there is a cut off point for the number of treatments you get free. My cancer is the same as the guy in the article.

I asked about this and as far as the doctor I spoke to is aware there is no cut off.

[bernadette86]

its a breast cancer drug. women get it because they lobbied for it hard but prostate cancer groups simply dont have the power to sway the health system

[Yellow_Festiva]

Hey... something was mentioned on the radio this morning about a cancer drug being "now more accessible to men". Didn't get the name of the drug but think it may be the one you're speaking of. Very recent change, like made yesterday or this morning.

I'll try to look into it.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Hey... something was mentioned on the radio this morning about a cancer drug being "now more accessible to men". Didn't get the name of the drug but think it may be the one you're speaking of. Very recent change, like made yesterday or this morning.

I'll try to look into it.

Emailed 2GB newsroom and got this reply:

Hi Jason,

The drug concerned is Aclasta, a treatment for osteoporosis. It was
previously only listed on the PBS for women, from today the listing has
been extended to include men.

Cheers,

Kelly Fedor.

Sorry :(

[bernadette86]

there is no cut off you just have to pay for it which for grand fathers best friend its about $30,000

not cool how does this happen when we supposedly have a great health care system

[MO]

Originally Posted by bernadette86

there is no cut off you just have to pay for it which for grand fathers best friend its about $30,000

not cool how does this happen when we supposedly have a great health care system

OK seems to be a conflict of info here,is this guy in private or public system for his treatment?
I'm in the public system and don't pay also from what I've been told each treatment costs approx' $1000.00. I would suggest that a bit more research is in order here. So next time I'm seeing my oncologist I will ask and post back here.

I've also learned that Alcastra has just been approved for men as well maybe it was this and not the Taxotere that would cost so much before it was approved.

[Fantome]

Good luck Mo please let us know how you go. Mine is treatable by surgery so am going down that route at RPA later this month or early May. For those of you reading this thread prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men and 20,000 of us will be diagnosed in 2010.

So, if you are over 40 and reading this thread, first thing Tuesday morning make an appointment for the quack, get a blood test and check your PSA

And Bernadette, have voted on the site you provided link for and thank you for posting it

[MO]

@Fantome,good luck with the surgery mate,start practising your post exercises now and should be habit when you have to do them. Seems you and I have been diagnosed at an early age I was 51 when first found.
Had already invaded my bones so beyond any surgery. Am going through the side affects of the first chemo right now. Will keep you guys posted.

[LUXO_8]

geez MO, i had no idea of your plight.
wish you all the best!

[MO]

@Luxo_8,thanks mate been 10 yrs now still fighting hard.

[MO]

Morphine,great stuff but addles your brain,small correction to previous posts.
I was first diagnosed in 2001 at age 53 not age 51..doh.

[gtfpv]

why didnt i see this thread . sorry Mo. Fantome i hope your doing well now .

[DJL351]

Originally Posted by gtfpv

why didnt i see this thread . sorry Mo. Fantome i hope your doing well now .

Sometimes these threads slip through...... RIP 'MO'.

[Romulus]

Sorry to hear about Mo's passing. R.I.P.