Quebecer calls out health system for not covering breast cancer drug treatment

Quebecer Jessie Putre is getting the word out about her experience feeling stuck between the public and private health systems. 

After being diagnosed with breast cancer and opting for her recommended mastectomy, Jessie says she’s struggling to get the $60,000 antibody drug coverage she needs. 

“I’m basically in a ping-pong, where I keep going back and forth between the RAMQ public system and my private insurance,” Putre says.

After finding a lump in her breast on vacation, she sought treatment through the private system initially. 

“I did the surgery within one week of my diagnosis, went into recovery from there and then my surgeon helped me transition from the private side into the public system. So I met with my oncologist and he said that yes, I will need to get chemotherapy. And at the same time I’ll have to start an antibody treatment for the type of cancer that I have,” Putre told CityNews.

The mother of two was diagnosed with a HER2-positive form of invasive ductal carcinoma. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, though HER2-positive strains are more aggressive and likely spread, they can be treated.

“You need to have a special antibody. One of them is called Herceptin, so this one is being covered by the government without an issue. The other one is called Perjeta,” she says.

After filing the paperwork to receive coverage for Perjeta alongside with her doctors, Putre says she’s been declined by both RAMQ and private insurance.

“What I’m being told by the public system is if I would have had treatment first, if I would have done the chemotherapy and the antibody prior to getting the mastectomy, they would have paid for it […] Because I did it in the opposite order at the recommendations of my doctors – which all doctors agree that it was the best thing for me to do with my particular diagnosis – they don’t want to pay for it,” the Lavaler explained. 

CityNews reached out to the Quebec health minister’s office but did not hear back in time for air. 

With roughly one week left to find funding before treatment, Putre’s family and friends hope their online fundraiser will help. But the real hope is to raise awareness and pave the way for all to have the best chance at recovery.

“There shouldn’t be red tape in place for people like me that need help immediately to have to try to, you know, go through these extra hurdles,” she says.