2023-12-04 21:15:29
A 15-year-old boy suffering from serious brain cancer finally had access to a helmet that emits electromagnetic fields to treat his illness, even though the government and insurers refuse to pay the $27,000 per month fee. that you have to pay to get it.
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“It’s an easy treatment that doesn’t cost too much, not like other treatments like radiotherapy which give a lot of side effects,” explains Oscar in an interview on LCN.
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The young man learned last July that he had a brain tumor. He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but these treatments were not enough to stop the progression of the disease.
For two weeks now, Oscar has had to wear the helmet equipped with electrodes for 18 hours a day.
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“After wearing it for a few days, the hair starts to grow once more so they push the electrodes and it gives little electric shocks,” says the teenager.
The tumor might “shrivel up”
Oscar’s parents launched a heartfelt cry last October since the helmet prescribed by Doctor David Roberge at the University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM) is not refundable for patients under 18 years old and it This is the treatment that might offer the best life expectancy.
“The tumor is present, it is in the center, we cannot remove it,” laments Pascal Jarry, Oscar’s father. On the other hand, it can stabilize and it might even – as Doctor Roberge said – shrivel up.”
The helmet, developed by an Israeli company in the early 2000s, is made up of four plates with 36 electrodes – which must be changed every four days – with wires connected to a battery and a computer.
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“Science is evolving, it’s moving quickly at the moment,” adds the parent. In 10 years there will definitely be something else happening. The objective is that we can delay the growth of the tumor as much as possible,” maintains Mr. Jarry.
The helmet has been used in clinical trials by Doctor Roberge since 2013 and around a hundred people have benefited from it. It has been approved by Health Canada since 2022, but only for adults. Moreover, the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) recommends that the Quebec Ministry of Health not reimburse patients for its use.
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Despite the many difficulties that arise on their journey, Oscar and his parents remain hopeful.
“There are plenty of possibilities. We hope that Oscar will be one of the lucky ones and that his tumor will not progress,” says the father.
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