When Maxwell Hayes found out his cancer had reappeared after eight years of remission his prognosis was grim.
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He has mantle cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer with few treatment options once it stops responding to chemotherapy.
His only hope was an experimental drug called Ibrutinib, which costs $134,000 a year for patients.
After applying through his haematologist he was provided the drug through the drug company on compassionate grounds.
He is still alive today thanks to the drug and is making the most of every day with family and friends, as well as cycling about 100km a week.
The drug was one of four cancer treatments Health Minister Greg Hunt announced would be placed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme from August 1.
Mr Hayes feels like he has won the lottery: the drug has halted the progression of his cancer and he no longer has to worry about his ongoing access to the drug.
"There wasn't any other treatment options available, that was it," he said.
"You realise that you're not bulletproof, it brings home that you've only got a certain time on the earth."
Director of Haematology at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Associate Professor Constantine Tam welcomed the announcement saying the cancer had a poor prognosis.
“Mantle cell lymphoma is both aggressive and incurable, meaning that even if you manage to achieve remission, the vast majority of patients will relapse," he said.
“Most types of cancers I treat are either aggressive but potentially curable, or incurable but not aggressive.
"There is a clear and present need for affordable access to treatment for mantle cell lymphoma patients for whom chemotherapy has stopped working.
"Until now, there has been no standard of care for these patients.
"This PBS listing provides a new treatment option, which allows us to keep fighting the cancer when chemotherapy stops working.”
The drug works by blocking a protein in the body that helps cancer cells live and grow.
CEO of Lymphoma Australia Sharon Winton said the PBS listing of Ibrutinib was the news hundreds of patients across Australia had been waiting for.
“This medicine has been studied extensively, both here in Australia and overseas, and we are delighted that it will become more accessible to patients with mantle cell lymphoma," she said.
Opdivo, Pegasys and Neulasta will also be listed on the PBS from August 1.
