A Quebec man living with stage four prostate cancer is trying to convince the provincial government to cover a potentially life-saving treatment that’s already been approved for use in Canada for more than two years.
“It’s hope,” said Jean Krashevski about getting access to Pluvito.
It’s a precision medicine that targets cancer cells without damaging other tissues, making it easier to tolerate for patients with advanced illness.
Fred Saad, the head of urologic oncology the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), says Pluvito trials have shown remarkable results.
“This is game-changer for a good proportion of patients,” he said.
For example, one of the first patients treated in the clinical trial has now gone four years without a trace of cancer.
“He had received six different lines of therapy before. He was basically in the palliative care unit and was resuscitated. It’s an unbelievable story,” said Saad.
He said about 10 per cent of patients can expect that kind of response, but 50 per cent will benefit from the medication.
Pluvito was approved for use in Canada in 2022 and is covered by public health insurance in Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia. However, in Quebec, it’s still not covered by RAMQ.
Krashevski started a petition that now has over 10,000 signatures to put pressure on the government.
“What’s the reason for the holdup? What is going on? I’m urging [Health] Minister Dubé to sign this and get this passed through,” said Krashevski.
Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services said the drug “will be considered” in the future and that the list of medications is updated about nine times per year.
Krashevski said that with every passing week, he and thousands of others without access to the treatment lose precious time.
“I’m fighting for myself, but also for all the men in Quebec and Canada where the drug is not yet available,” he said.
“Lives are being lost and families are being broken. Shouldn’t happen. It shouldn’t happen this way.”
In the meantime, to keep his mind and body focused, Krashevski practices the Japanese martial art Iaido – equal parts meditation and exercise.
“You’re focused on the sword. Your mind is empty of all other thoughts. Everything is focused on every move you’re making, on the cutting or the sound of the sword,” he said.
“And for me, it just symbolizes my battle against cancer.”
