[CHCH-TV] Costly drugs push man with cancer to apply for medically assisted death
An Ontario family says they are at an unimaginable crossroads – pay $40,000 a month for medication, or be faced with their loved ones’ death.

The family says a drug could prolong Ted Sewerynek’s life but it’s not funded in this province and time is running out.

[Read the full article]

[Yahoo!Life] Ontario mother with rare cancer seeks $15,000 a month treatment: 'I want a chance to do more'
Noor Ayesha was hopeful when she learned she was pregnant for the second time in May 2022. Her first child, a daughter, had been born prematurely at seven months and lived for just nine hours — leaving Ayesha and her family heartbroken. Despite her grief, she was optimistic that everything would go smoothly for her second pregnancy. However five months later, she was rushed to a hospital in Kitchener, Ont. with intense abdominal pain.

[Read the full article]

[CCA] CADTH recommends public drug plans reimburse Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), if certain conditions are met
Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a checkpoint immune inhibitor, has been approved for first line therapy in combination with gem/cis (chemotherapy) with locally advanced metastatic or unresectable biliary tract carcinoma (BTC). (This is an alternative to gem/cis/durva.) This can only be ordered by physicians with expertise in treating BTC.

Attached is the full recommendation.

[Read the CADTH document]

[CCA] Health Canada NOC for two indications of TIBSOVO (ivosidenib)
Good news for cholangiocarcinoma patients. Another second line targeted therapy has been approved by Health Canada.

Servier Canada received the notice of compliance (NOC) from Health Canada for two indications of TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) on July 19, 2024. These indications are to treat IDH1 mutation with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. The company is currently securing the stock product in Canada. Once that is done, they are planning to provide a patient support program once ivosidenib (TIBSOVO) is commercially available.

[Read the Health Canada document]

World Hepatitis Day is July 28. Hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer. As well as the leading cause of liver cancer, hepatitis (especially Hepatitis B and C) is a common cause for cirrhosis of the liver and other viral hepatitis-related deaths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 354 million people globally live with Hepatitis B or C. Vaccination programs are available for Hepatitis A and B. There is no vaccination presently for Hepatitis C.

The colours for hepatitis awareness are green (hepatitis B), yellow and red (hepatitis C), and purple and yellow (autoimmune hepatitis).

Reference: World Health Organization (2023). Retrieved from www.who.int.

[Read the full article]

[CTV News] Kitchener woman hopes Ont. follows other provinces in covering rare cancer drug
A 25-year-old Kitchener, Ont. woman is continuing the fight of her life.

As Noor Ayesha battles a rare and aggressive form of cancer, she is pushing the province to fund an expensive drug, which could extend her life.

She has seen improvements in her health since first sharing her story with CTV News.

[Read the full article]

The Green Party's Mike Morrice, M.P. for Kitchener Centre, ON, and Minister of Health Mark Holland discuss coverage of Pemigatinib (Pemazyre), a therapy used to treat cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

Sitting No. 320 House of Commons. West Block - Chamber. May 29, 2024. 14:00 - 23:50.

[View on Youtube]

Dr. Faisal M. Khan was kind enough to hold a Zoom meeting with CHCC to discuss biomarkers and their connection to cholangiocarcinoma. A video of the meeting is available below and on our Youtube channel.

Dr. Faisal M. Khan is a Professor at the University of Calgary. Dr. Khan is co-founder and CEO of OncoHelix Inc., an organization that specializes in providing esoteric cancer genomic and immunology testing.

[View on Youtube]

June 13 is Global Fatty Liver Day. On this day, buildings across Canada are lit green to raise awareness about fatty liver disease.

[Read the full article]

[CTV News] Alberta's coverage of new treatment for rare cancer providing hope for patients
A new dad from the Calgary area is feeling hopeful after the Government of Alberta agreed to cover the cost of a new cancer treatment that might improve his chances of seeing his daughter grow up.

Bile duct cancer, or cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is a rare, aggressive cancer that was only previously treated in Alberta by one drug.

"I’m very excited. It draws out my time and hopefully something else comes along in that time," said Chris Dyment, who was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in April 2023.

[Read the full article]

[CFJC Today] Kamloops woman with stage 4 bile duct cancer pushing for coverage of expensive treatment
A Kamloops woman is hoping the province will make an exemption to ensure the steep cost of her cancer care medication is covered.

Kenda Brown is one of a small number of people in Canada with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer. She was diagnosed with the rare cancer a year-and-a-half ago.

“They usually give you six months to a year, once you’re diagnosed,” she explains, saying at this stage, the cancer has also spread throughout her liver and lungs.

[Read the full article]

[CTV News] Kitchener, Ont. woman with incurable cancer pushing province to cover rare cancer drug
A Kitchener, Ont. woman and her family are pushing the provincial government to fund a rare cancer treatment.

Noor Ayesha, 25, is a new mother but she’s facing a greater challenge than motherhood.

She has been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer that originates in the bile ducts of the liver.

[Read the full article]

World Liver Day is observed every year on April 19. Facilities across Canada lit up green. This is a day to promote global health awareness about the importance of liver health and early detection of liver diseases.

[Read the full article]

[CTV News] 'This has to change': New dad, grieving mom fighting for Alberta to cover rare cancer treatment
A new dad from the Calgary area is pressing the province to fund a new cancer treatment that might improve his chances of seeing his daughter grow up.

Chris Dyment was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in April 2023 and after 12 rounds of chemotherapy, his treatment will soon end.

[Read the full article]

On February 15, 2024, structures across Canada were lit green to recognize World Cholangiocarcinoma Day, and raise awareness about cholangiocarcinoma.

[Read the full article]