Ovarian Cancer

CMS approves changes allowing limited utilization management in protected classes of drugs. However, other proposed changes that would have further eroded patient access were not implemented.

A bipartisan bill designed to remove disparity in pricing between intravenously administered drugs and orally administered drugs for patients with cancer was passed in the House in March 2019 but awaits action in the Senate.

There are important changes to beneficiaries’ Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for 2020. These changes will affect many patients’ out-of-pocket spending for anticancer drugs, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors.

The ovarian cancer patients’ internal dialogue may delay a cancer diagnosis and can also overestimate the capability of chemotherapy.

BRCA wild-type tumors are more common in women with ovarian cancer and may need higher doses of the tumor-targeting PARP inhibitor.

The rise in the number of cancer drugs taken orally has placed a renewed focus on the importance—and challenges—of patient adherence to self-administered oral medications.

While Medicare Part D enrollees may see their out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles, and premiums increase in 2020, protections of the drugs used in cancer treatment will remain in place.

Ovarian cancer not only exacts a high mortality rate, but also affects the physical, mental, and financial health of those diagnosed with the disease.

Epidemiologic studies reveal population-based disparities in ovarian cancer morbidity and mortality rates.

Genetic, menstrual, and other factors have been associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer.