New Prostrate Cancer Drug

Before 2004, the only known affective and prolonged treatment for men with prostate cancer was the chemotherapy drug docetaxel. On August 31, 2012, in an article called, “New Drug For Prostate Cancer Gets F.D.A. Nod” from The Huffington Post, Andre Pollack reported that the Food and Drug Administration approved a new life prolonged drug for men with prostate cancer. This new drug, which is called Xtandi was developed by a San Francisco pharmaceutical company called Medivation. It is in a pill form, which makes it more convenient than drugs that are given intravenously. Also, Xtandi does not stop a man’s testosterone growth, like other drugs that are used for this cancer's treatment. Many people will prefer to take the pills before trying chemotherapy. However, the drug has its own negative side effects, like seizures. About one percent of males who tried it in a clinic suffered from this side effect. Even though it is not the best produced drug, it will surely help men to suffer less then they originally would.

Medivation verified that the drug will add billions to the nation’s medical bills. They said, “Xtandi will cost $7,450 per person a month.” (The Huffington Post). This might be too expensive for the government to afford, but the drug will help many patients, as well as depressed families who have a member suffering from it. Cancer is a traumatic and unfortunate disease that can strike any person. However, it will be difficult for the government to pay off all the costs, especially when it is expected that there will be about 241,000 new prostate cancer cases this year.