A sixty-year-old man from Saint-Bruno de Montarville, Quebec, is facing a daunting financial battle to access a potentially life-extending treatment for his aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma. Serge Bourret is currently shouldering a monthly cost of $31,000 CAD – including taxes – for an innovative therapy not covered by the province’s public healthcare system or his private insurance.
Glioblastoma is a particularly challenging cancer, known for its rapid growth and poor prognosis. According to Dr. Jean-Paul Bahary, a radiation oncologist at CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal), the median survival rate for individuals diagnosed with glioblastoma is between 14 and 16 months. Bourret, who retired just six months prior to his diagnosis, emphasizes the urgency of his situation, stating, “There is an urgency to live because I don’t know how long I will live. The prognosis is not very, very good.”
The treatment Bourret is pursuing utilizes an Optune helmet, which employs electric fields to target and disrupt cancer cells. Dr. Bahary notes that the therapy has demonstrated a positive impact on patient outcomes, with “more patients [who] survive 2 years and more patients [who] survive 5 years.” However, despite these promising results, the treatment remains inaccessible to many due to its high cost.
The financial burden is immense. Bourret is depleting his retirement savings to cover the monthly expense, expressing concern about the long-term sustainability of this approach. “That’s the price of a Toyota Corona every month on my head,” he told TVA News. “I am disbursing my RRSPs, but when there are more, I don’t know how long I will be able to afford it… your bank account shouldn’t dictate your life expectancy.”
The situation highlights a broader issue of access to innovative cancer treatments within the Canadian healthcare system. While Quebec’s public health system, through INESSS (Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux), does not currently authorize reimbursement for the Optune therapy, it is available in 14 other countries. Bourret’s workplace insurance does not cover the cost, despite the fact that he continues to work full-time as a programmer even while battling cancer.
Manulife, Bourret’s insurer, stated that Optune is not included in their standard coverage plans, though employers can request adjustments to coverage options. Bourret has also sought an exemption from the Ministry of Finance to reduce costs, but was informed that medical devices must meet specific criteria to be eligible for tax relief.
The case is drawing attention to the financial strain cancer treatment can place on individuals and families in Canada. Recent data indicates that Canadians with cancer spend an average of $33,000 out of pocket for medical care. This financial toxicity can significantly impact quality of life and access to potentially life-saving therapies.
Approximately one hundred patients in Quebec could potentially benefit from the Optune treatment. The lack of coverage raises questions about equitable access to advanced cancer care and the role of public funding in supporting innovative therapies. Dr. Bahary believes that these costs should not be borne by the patient and that a resolution is needed “in the coming months.”
The story of Serge Bourret underscores the complex interplay between medical innovation, healthcare policy, and individual financial circumstances. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges patients face when navigating a system where access to potentially life-saving treatments is often determined by financial means.
