B.C. cancer patient fights for access to treatment recommended by his doctors

A British Columbia patient is fighting to access a specialized immunotherapy treatment recommended by her medical team. Tabitha Watmore has been diagnosed with a rare form of metastatic clear cell ovarian cancer. Her oncologist has stated that without specialized treatment, she likely has only six months to live. The cancer has shown resistance to chemotherapy, which she has undergone in six previous rounds. Pembrolizumab, sold under the brand name KeyTruda, is approved and funded for certain cancer types in British Columbia but not for ovarian cancer. BC Cancer indicates the evidence supporting this treatment for ovarian cancer is still preliminary and insufficient for public funding. The agency notes the high cost of the drug and the need for it to be reviewed and recommended by the pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review process before funding consideration. Watmore is currently paying $10,500 per round out-of-pocket, having already begun treatment. She has stated she is using her savings, including her RRSP, in a last attempt to stay alive. A GoFundMe campaign set up for her had raised $13,000 as of early Tuesday afternoon. Watmore reports feeling better since starting treatment and has begun daily walks. She states a recent doctor was surprised she was still able to cook, bathe herself, and walk at this stage of her cancer. She is scheduled for her third round of treatment this week and will undergo a scan to assess effectiveness. If the treatment is working, she hopes to continue. The Ministry of Health states care is provided based on available evidence and guidance, noting the process for approving new drugs can be long and puts stress on patients.