My mum is receiving 2 drugs for her chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, one which is the usual drug for Pancreatic Cancer, GEMCITABINE, which is on the PBS and costs nothing. The other is PACLITAXEL or "ABRAXANE" which is used for Breast Cancer, usually as a last resort. If you have Breast Cancer it is free on the PBS Scheme, but for those who have Pancreatic Cancer the cost is $938.15 per visit.
A world -wide trial took place two years ago using both drugs for pancreatic cancer and the results have only recently been announced. (You may have seen it on ABC News a few weeks ago) The results have been very positive and shown to increase longevity.
It won't help my mum. But it may help many other sufferers if Abraxane can be placed on the PBS as soon as possible. At the moment, if you can't afford over two thousand dollars per month, then you don't get the extra treatment, only the Gemcitabine, which has limited success.