Common Cancers and Therapies
According to the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the top five cancers diagnosed in both men and women in North America from 2003-2007 were prostate, breast, lung, colon, and bladder cancer. There were over 6 million cases in all. Given that the population of North America in 2008 was estimated at 529 million people, that means more than 1 out of every 100 people in North America received one of these cancer diagnoses. With astounding numbers such as these, it’s no wonder cancer is thought to be so prevalent in today’s society.
Unfortunately, with each of those diagnoses come expensive treatments and drug therapies. For patients without adequate insurance, the cost can be financially crippling. For severe cases, lifetime benefits on existing insurance can easily be maxed out before treatment is complete. Common medications used in these treatments include such drugs as Taxotere IV, a medication commonly used in breast and prostate cancer treatments. Considering the average cost of treatment with Taxotere IV can easily top $40,000 U.S., it is a very costly treatment, and only one of many that patients often undergo. That does not include pre and post medications to prevent side effects or allergic reactions.
There is no doubt that cancer is an expensive disease to treat. Insurance, for patients who have, often does not cover all of the necessary treatments and associated costs. While there are many public programs to assist with the cost of cancer treatments, responsibility for payment ultimately rests with the patient and their family. As such, any and all cost saving measures, provided they do not interfere with quality of care, should be considered. This may include finding alternative, less expensive ways to fill non-covered prescription medications. The U.S. has some of the highest prescription drug prices in the civilized world, so alternatives to U.S. pharmacies can be beneficial.
Canadian pharmacies provide the ability to fill prescriptions for cancer-related medications and over the counter pharmaceutical supplies without sacrificing quality or patient safety. Discount drugs from discount pharmacies in Canada allow U.S. residents to purchase a Canadian prescription medication by faxing or mailing their doctor’s prescription and having the medication mailed directly to their home. For cancer patients especially, this provides a convenient and cost-saving option for their chemotherapy-related medicines. Whether these patients are uninsured or underinsured, the ability to access an international pharmacy to get quality medications at a lower cost from a licensed pharmacy allows them to continue their treatment uninterrupted.

