N.B. considers coverage for costly cancer drug

The New Brunswick government is considering paying for treatment with the expensive cancer-fighting drug Avastin, which is used to treat people suffering from colorectal cancer.

The province is one of only three that don't offer funding for the drug. Prince Edward Island and Manitoba are the other two.

Provincial Health Minister Mike Murphy said Wednesday that finding the money to pay for the drug won't be easy.

"We're in a terrible situation fiscally. It's a very, very difficult time to try to start new programs, and it's extremely difficult to try to find the money for a new program that will cost over $3 million," Murphy said.

Without provincial coverage, the cost for an individual who pays for a full treatment of Avastin can be as high as $40,000.

Ann Marie Kerr was diagnosed with colorectal cancer almost five years ago. "It's such an emotional ride. I mean you can take the physical pain, or the sickness, but the head trip is what I thought was the worst part of it," Kerr said.

After chemotherapy and surgery to remove part of her colon, Kerr said she's doing remarkably well.

But she is worried that, if her cancer comes back, and treatment with Avastin is recommended, she wouldn't be able to afford it.

Avastin doesn't cure colorectal cancer, but it blocks blood supply to cancer tumours and stunts their growth. That can give some patients five more months of life than if they were treated with chemotherapy alone.

Every year, more than 500 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in New Brunswick. It's the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada.