Cancer Drug Costs $93,000

Many new drug treatments for Cancer cost nearly $100,000 a year and this has sparked fresh debate about how much a few months of life is worth. The latest treatment Provenge is a first of a kind therapy which had been approved in April. It costs around $93,000 and survival is increased by four months for men with non curable prostate tumors. Patient Bob Svensson got this treatment and he got it because insurance paid.

“I would not spend that money,” because the benefit doesn’t seem worth it, says Svensson who is 80, he is a former corporate finance officer from Bedford, Mass. Svensson’s supplemental Medicare plan is paying and the government is thinking about whether his basic Medicare should cover Provenge. Prostate is very common cancer in men of America and most of those who have it will be eligible for Medicare. Provenge will be an option for various late stage cases.

“I don’t know how they’re going to deal with that kind of issue,” said Svensson. He was treated at Lahey Clinic Medical Center in suburban Boston. He said he feels very lucky.