By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Medical Negligence
    The Impact of Medical Negligence: How Claims Can Help You Move Forward
    January 6, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
    PPACA: “It’s in there!”
    September 9, 2017
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Frank Discussions About Oral Cancer Therapies
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Frank Discussions About Oral Cancer Therapies
Public HealthSpecialtiesWellness

Frank Discussions About Oral Cancer Therapies

Andrew Schorr
Andrew Schorr
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE
asco_200

ASCO 2015

Oral cancer therapies seem poised to revolutionize cancer care for many cancer types. More convenient, more effective, and often less toxic.

asco_200

ASCO 2015

Oral cancer therapies seem poised to revolutionize cancer care for many cancer types. More convenient, more effective, and often less toxic.

But…they are quite expensive—in many cases, more than $100,000 a year per patient. And some experts have been discussing combining two drugs. Think of it, that’s more than $200,000 per year.

We must talk more about cost and not just echo the mantra of researchers who are “excited” about trial results. They are the first to admit they are not health economists.

More Read

How Can Cold Press Juices Boost Your Day?
CMS Announces Win-Win to the Tune of $840 Million
Healthcare Technology is Improving the Way We Sleep
Breast Cancer and Mesothelioma
Can Light Affect Your Health?

Surely, it is unbelievably good when people who were near death see their tumors melt away. And credit goes to the researchers, companies and patients who moved trials forward. But as new oral therapies are approved, we have to use these precious medicines wisely and precisely. They are super valuable, laser-guided approaches that not everyone needs or not necessarily throughout their journey fighting a cancer. We have to figure that out.

pills-200Another frank discussion we need to have is more about side effects. Traditionally, in cancer care the goal has often been to kill as many cancer cells right now at all costs. So when you visit a cancer clinic or hospital, you often see platoons of very sick people, not just sick from the cancer but sick from the treatments. I have lived it myself.

Fortunately, this is changing with several new supportive care medicines and great oncology social workers and health psychologists, too. BUT even with the new oral therapies there are side effects. It could be fatigue, out-of-whack blood counts, risk for second cancers, heart and lung problems, skin problems, and, often, gastro-intestinal problems.  We have to be more up front about this.

In my own case, a new and very expensive medicine is doing a terrific job controlling the symptoms of myelofibrosis. But my platelets are low (and stable). So I bruise more easily. I can live with that. However, the other day I visited with a friend with chronic myelogenous leukemia, CML, and she spoke frankly about imatinib (Gleevec). She has been on it more than 10 years and wants to get off. Why? Increasing expense and unpredictable, for her, diarrhea and skin problems. She will ask her doctor if she can be part of a cessation trial.

“Cessation” is something we will speak about much more going forward. As great new medicines come out and are used, expensively in combination, can they knock back the cancer so well—and invigorate our immune system—so we can look forward to stopping taking medicine just like we do with an antibiotic? Can we look forward to that to limit side effects and to limit untenable cost?

The ASCO, American Society of Clinical Oncology, meeting breaks up this week in Chicago. News about “exciting” clinical research flows from it like a wave. But it’s important to step back and to look at the big picture. Yes, saving lives, and lengthening lives is job #1. But HOW we do it to preserve quality of life and to make it affordable must be part of the discussion. Otherwise, new breakthrough new medicines will be like the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I always wanted but could never have.

I welcome your comments. Wishing you and your family the best of health!

 

TAGGED:cancercancer therapiesmedical costsoral cancer
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025

You Might also Like

BusinessNewsPublic HealthTechnology

Thermalin Diabetes Follows the “Coulter Process” And Addresses Significant Needs in the Insulin Market

December 27, 2011
Image
BusinessGlobal HealthcarePublic Health

4 Reasons Substance Abuse is Driving up Healthcare Costs in 2017

April 13, 2017
Image
BusinessMedical DevicesOrthopaedicsTechnology

Growth of Worldwide Cervical Artificial Disc Market

August 10, 2011
Basketball courts at Aegis Living Seattle
DiagnosticsWellness

Different System, Same Challenges: Long-Term Care Perspective From Canada

June 6, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?