The ability of patients to access more than one therapy as required (known as sequential treatment) is critical to the successful treatment of many cancers – including kidney cancer.
Health Canada has approved six targeted treatments since 2006 – sunitinib (Sutent™), sorafenib (Nexavar™), temsirolimus (Torisel™), everolimus (Afinitor™), pazopanib (Votrient™) and axitinib (Inlyta™). These treatments have been Health Canada approved as either first or second line therapies for advanced kidney cancer and have been reviewed at the pan-Canadian level (pCODR) for cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, Health Canada has recently approved nivolumab (Opdivo™), a new type of immuno-oncology treatment for advanced kidney cancer. Canadian Guidelines by leading experts in kidney cancer support sequential therapies beyond initial treatment for this disease.
Prince Edward Island is the only province in Canada that does not fund second line therapy.
All other provinces provide a minimum of two funded treatments so that kidney cancer patients can benefit from a second life-extending therapy. Kidney cancer patients in PEI urgently require access to second line therapy through public funding from their provincial government.
Kidney Cancer Canada has launched a patient-driven letter-writing campaign in PEI to encourage them to publicly fund second line therapy. We need your help right now to ensure this campaign’s success.
You will find instructions below on how to create your own letter to send off to your ‘Minister of Health’.
- Click on this link to download the Prince Edward Island – Sample Letter. If you need help with any details please contact us at info@KidneyCancerCanada.ca or 1-866-598-7166.
- Insert your name and address (including your name at the bottom).
- The letter is addressed to the Minister of Health and Wellness. Find out the appointed Minister of Health and Wellness on this link.
- Take a moment to personalize your letter. In between paragraphs 1 and 2, outline your personal story and the link you have to kidney cancer whether it be patient, caregiver, family or friend. Try to mention the importance medications have played in your experience, or may play in the future for you.
- Remember to send a copy to your MLA. Find your elected representative on this link.
- It is preferable if you can e-mail your letter as an attachment, but many people chose to both e-mail and post their letter – it’s your choice. The email addresses for the Minister of Health and your MLA are listed on this link.
- Please send us a copy of your letter – it will help us to know what individuals are doing across the country.
- Please let us know if you receive a reply, even if it seems like a form letter. We’ll use those replies in discussions with decision-makers in your province.
Remember, Kidney Cancer Canada is available to help you along the way. If you have questions about writing your letter, contact us by e-mail or at 1-866-598-7166